“…rejoicing, since all ingredients are here”

My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird—
equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be
astonished.

—from “Messenger” by Mary Oliver

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Comments

1. tanita says:

   This picture of Scott & Kids reminds me of a picture my friend Pille sent – those quiet, reflective moments with Dad.

   Yes, all the ingredients are here, to hunker down and hold close and rejoice in what we have.

   On December 17, 2012 at 8:54 am

2. marktuan8 says:

   beautiful poem. thank you for sharing

   On December 17, 2012 at 11:23 am

3. Melissa Wiley says:

   Aw, the pic is set to private, T—can’t see it. Can imagine it, though! 😉

   On December 21, 2012 at 6:55 am

4. Alice Gunther says:

   Love the poem! Love the photos, especially the first one. So great, so joyful and so real.

   I should commit the poem to memory. It’s perfect.

   On December 22, 2012 at 4:03 pm