WILD GEESE

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting 

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

from Dream Work by Mary Oliver

published by Atlantic Monthly Press

© Mary Oliver

NEXT QUESTION

Next question: Within each of your groups, do you see commonalities?  

The common thread suggests nature offers me great comfort, the colors reflect my love of nature, colors of mountain heather, flowers and the changing colors of the earth as the sun blesses it each day.

All of my choices are inter related in a way I was not really conscious of,  until looking a little deeper into my answers.


I seek comfort,  tranquility, and a connection to the greater Spirit.  My answers reflect this journey.  I guess, it is not such random wander, as I had believed.  Though I still love the synchronicity of it all!

A GAME

Robin at Metanoia has invited her readers to play a multi-part game of some kind.  She has posted the first step, and when at least 10 people have responded, we get to find out the next step.  I have so appreciated Robin's depth, and so I trust her whimsy.  Wanna play?


Robin's game:

Take a minute and write down your responses to the

following.  No context ~ just whatever responses pop 

into your mind.  Be as general or specific as you 

want, using as few words as possible.

1. Five colors: Turquoise, purple, fuschia, yellow, 

orange.

2. Five cities:   Banff,  Jackson Hole,  Edinburgh, 

Dehli,  Katmandu,

3.  Five landscapes:   Mountains, canyons, forests, 

waterfalls, fields of flowers.

4.  Five interiors:    Cottages, conservatories, 

museums,inns, toy shops.

5. Five things you might wear:    Funky hats, 

funky boots, capes, chiffon scarves, 

handkerchief skirts,

When at least  ten people have responded, either in their comments or in their own blogs, I'll tell you the next step.  There are four steps in all.

MOONBOWS

Moonbows at Yosemite National Park..............magic

ZION NATIONAL PARK

Utah's First National Park

Massive canyon walls ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. To experience Zion, you need to walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in a small narrow canyon. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons.

 Remembering  a hot day in August some years ago, walking shin deep across the cool waters of Zion National Park.   In  awe of its beauty and wildness, and offering thoughts of gratitude to those with the foresight to protect these acres.