The Summer Day
Mary Oliver
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
I don't know much about praying, but if the act of attention is a form of prayer then perhaps I do after all...
It is so hot and still today I can feel the grasses sway and the whole garden throbbing.
I love the last line..."Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life"
Sarah
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more pics here
Such exquisite pictures. Thank you for sharing them.
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ReplyDeletemmm! It is hot here as well, and the images you have chosen are so apt for how I feel. I'm only new to this poet, but I have loved reading her... thankyou.
We were waiting a long time for a bit of summer weren't we!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Such beautiful atmospheric photographs and a lovely poem as well, just lovely. I also love the last line, makes you think! jayne x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem and photos.
ReplyDeleteCarol xx
I absolutely adore this Sarah - those lazy hazy days of late Summer.
ReplyDeleteNina x
Summer is the time to have fun and take a much needed rest and relaxation. Its also the time to enjoy the lazy afternoon outside. Anyways, the photos are extremely gorgeous.
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A belated comment, but I had to thank you for the beautiful poem, it's not one I knew. And yes, the last line is perfect, as are your images :D
ReplyDeleteLove the lazy summer time! Your poem is lovely.
ReplyDelete"...what is it [I] plan to do with [my] one wild and precious life"? Hmmmm, I've been rethinking that one for the past year or so. I have definitely been considering the joy of the moment, though. I've been making sure that I purposefully make time to 'waste' time doing 'nothing'! It's been good.
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