Mossy TreesNote: This reflection  is shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel

Landscape

 
Isn't it plain the sheets of moss, except that
they have no tongues, could lecture
all day if they wanted about spiritual patience?
 

Isn't it clear the black oaks  

along the path are standing as though

they were the most fragile of flowers?

Every morning I walk like this around
the pond, thinking: if the doors of my heart
ever close, I am as good as dead.

Every morning, so far, I'm alive. And now
the crows break off from the rest of the darkness
and burst up into the sky—as though

all night they had thought of what they would like
their lives to be, and imagined
their strong, thick wings.

~Mary Oliver

Jacarandas

Photo and watercolor by ~liz

12 responses to “Days 213-214 Landscape A Poem by Mary Oliver”

  1. erie Avatar
    erie

    A stunning poem and equally powerful pair of images, Liz.
    “if the doors of my heart
    ever close, I am as good as dead.”
    Thus, there are are so many dead among us, walking around amid the light to which they are blind. Crows breaking “off from the rest of the darkness.” Lines like these show us why Oliver is a genius & why you are a gift for having the “doors of your heart” open so wide.

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  2. Cheri Cancelliere Avatar

    What a wonderful, powerful message. Thank you Liz for sharing these momentous words with your beautiful art.

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  3. Anne Milligan Avatar
    Anne Milligan

    Wow wee…. Thank you for sharing this Liz…

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  4. Julie Avatar
    Julie

    Beautiful, thank you

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  5. Jolyon Avatar
    Jolyon

    Like listening to the silence ocean waves make crashing against the rocks. The silence is the roar of rejuvenation, speaking through Mother. Let her in.

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  6. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Thank you, Erie, you have such a beautiful way of offering an affirmation…

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  7. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Hi Cherie,thank you for taking the time to appreciate Oliver’s poem and for keeping your heart open…

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  8. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Thanks so much Anne, I appreciate your companionship here with us…

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  9. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    The simplicity of your response is such a lovely gifting, thank you for visiting here with us, Julie…

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  10. sbeng Avatar
    sbeng

    Thank you Liz for your lovely poem by Marie Oliver and your beautiful landscape, your beautiful work of art. I like to soar like the birds with open hearts willing to give to those whose hearts is open to receive.

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  11. ~liz Wessel Avatar

    Jolyon, I appreciate the wisdom in your metaphor; yes, may we pause to listen, and to really hear…

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  12. Woody Wessel Avatar
    Woody Wessel

    Great watercolor. I love the poem.

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