A simple Saturday

by Jennifer on March 8, 2008

I’m grateful to everyone for the comments you left yesterday. Every one of them touched me.

After yesterday, I’m content to let a poet and a singer/songwriter take over for me. You’re in very capable hands.

wild-geese.jpgThis, from Mary Oliver. My most excellent VBF sent me this poem a few years ago, knowing that it would affect me. (It did.) There are many, many reasons why I appreciate her, and this was one of them.

Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver

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 Marc Cohn, this song, “One Safe Place.” I’ve loved it from the first time I heard it, and today it just seems to fit. (My video choices were this clip with the House photo, a Brokeback Mountain tribute, an O.C. montage, and a memorial to a dog named Bonnie (1993-2008 maysherestinpeace). House, it is.

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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

JLP March 8, 2008 at 6:48 am

i needed me some Mary Oliver this morning. you are the best.

slouching mom March 8, 2008 at 9:19 am

You! You gave me House! I am forever beholden to you!

cce March 8, 2008 at 11:52 am

What a beautiful poem and a terrific song…I’ve been enjoying your play list on this site immensely.

HRH March 8, 2008 at 12:26 pm

What a nice deep breath.

flutter March 8, 2008 at 12:27 pm

((you)) Thank you for when you sent that to me, too. I have it printed out on my desk

Hatchet March 8, 2008 at 3:08 pm

Oh my gosh! Link away! I’m terribly flattered and glad I was able to make you laugh.

I loved your poem above, as well.

Meg March 8, 2008 at 4:34 pm

LOVE the poem, and the song is just absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Sandy (Momisodes) March 8, 2008 at 5:26 pm

What a beautiful poem. And the song brought tears to my eyes….thank you for sharing 🙂

Linda March 8, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Thanks for visiting my blog. Your post from yesterday really moved me. I wanted to respond but did not know what to say. You inspired me to start writing about my life so my son can read about where I came from.

I make beaded necklaces and bracelettes. I will start making earrings soon too. It something to do to have a creative outlet. I am also going to start making my own pendants.

The way I like to make pot roast is to season with onion salt, garlic powder, and course steak seasoning and then cover with a can of mushroom soup. On top of that I sprinkle a couple of tbsp of brown gravy mix. I add about 1/2 cup of water and just let it cook away in the crock pot. It comes out so juicy and tender with the best tasting gravy. I am slowly putting together a cookbook for my son of family recipes and my own recipes. This one will definitely be in it.

I visit your blog regularly. You write so well. I am not the best writer, but I love to share pictures I find or take, along with favorite songs, poems and recipes from time to time.
Have a wonderful weekend.

marlee March 8, 2008 at 7:50 pm

Oooooh! I LOOOOOVE Mary Oliver!!!

Kellan March 8, 2008 at 8:07 pm

“In the family of things,” I loved this poem!! Thanks so much for sharing it -it touched me!

I hope you are having a good weekend. Thanks for coming by today and for your prayers for my little nephew. Take care and I’ll see you soon. Kellan

liv March 9, 2008 at 3:58 pm

oh, i love simple saturdays… thanks for sharing the goodness.

Crazycath March 12, 2008 at 8:46 am

Lovely words.

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