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Sunday, December 26, 2010

Waking Up


The Journey
by Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets and clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save
the only life you could save.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pam, my friend...the words are so powerful full of meaning...and your art page, beautiful,truly beautiful.

Pam Tucker said...

David: As always, your words mean so much. Thank you. ;)

Bill said...

For some reason your words remind me that in order to love others, we have to love ourselves first. Sometimes that's the most difficult love of all.

I hope your post means your operation is over and you are home mending. It is a blessing to us to know that you are back. :^)

Pam Tucker said...

Bill: Thank you! Yes, I'm now recovering at home. :)

Crayotic Ramblings said...

This speaks VOLUMES to me. This echoes my year so strongly. So strongly.

Brilliantly written.

Pam Tucker said...

Rabbit: This could be the story of MY life this year, as well! :)
XX

Lori Saul said...

Hi Pam,
Hope you were able to have nice Holiday and are recovering quickly from your surgery - so good to see you posting! This is a powerful piece- she has a quiet strength and a wildness to her which gives her the movement to illustrate the power and call to action of the poem. Fantastic! May the New Year bring promise of much love, creativity and happiness to you and yours!
Lori

Pam Tucker said...

Lori! Thank you so much for your support and your thoughtful comments. I always love to hear your views on the art. I wish the same for you in the coming year, my friend!