“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” John 14:27
When Ramona suggested that we write about “summering” for our Spiritual Journey posts this month, I turned to two passages that bring me peace. Too often, I have a long “to do” list for summer that usually includes cleaning out closets and such dreaded chores. These kinds of chores are good for me but are not what I want to do. I’d rather have lunch with friends, go on long walks, and binge watch a show or two.
The poem “Wild Geese” from Mary Oliver reminds me that all I should do is love what I love and let the wild geese call to me. On these early June days, it’s not wild geese, but buzzing cicadas that call to me. The heat of midday sends me inside for a glass of La Croix with ice. I am settling into a routine and trying hard not to pressure myself to do more.
In May, I was inspired by Georgia Heard’s calendar of prompts for small poems. In June, her newsletter held an invitation to porch poems. You can sign up to receive Heart Beats on her website. Porch poem #3 asked “What happens in stillness?” Here is my poem response.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love “silhouetting its stillness”. the ending, talking directly to the reader, reminds me of Robert Frost. lovely poem.
“Announcing our place in the family of things” is a wonderful phrase. I also like “just give me a minute.” So many things could be avoided with a pause. I like that your poem focuses on your OLW.
Ignore those chores, they’ll be there when fall rolls around this year. Embrace the peace and beauty of your new chapter.
Thank you, Margaret, for your thoughts and poem. I often have a hiatus between a busy time and a quiet time when I feel unmoored. What to do? It takes time to find a new rhythm. You have good companions in your verse from John and Mary Oliver. I wish you blessings on your journey.
Thank you, Margaret, for your thoughts and poem. I often have a hiatus between a busy time and a quiet time when I feel unmoored. What to do? It takes time to find a new rhythm. You have good companions in your verse from John and Mary Oliver. I wish you blessings on your journey.
Oh Margaret, “just give me a minute here…” says everything to me of summering. To stop and take in the robin at my windowsill, the soft click of quaking aspen, the drip-drip of yesterday’s rain… Each moment, a taste of summering. And thank you for the scripture verse. We are grieving our dad’s death and preparing for his burial. Those words may be the peace we need for our final goodbyes.
When my dad died it took a while for me to find that peace. I knew he wanted it for us, but there were so many tears and regrets even though he was 88. I hope you are finding the quiet moments necessary to grieve.
This poem is a comfort every time I read it. I love how Oliver doesn’t have to be dramatic — but her words are words I feel deeply. Cicadas already? Wow!
Margaret, the last line of your poem reminds us that no matter how busy we are there is always time to take a minute just for ourselves and relish the moment we are in. Bob
Margaret, thank you for reminding me of Mary Oliver’s poem. These lines strike a chord with me:
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination…announcing your place
in the family of things.
At our first dinner on the patio last night, I watched the birds flying back and forth. A friend visited from Long Island and I felt memories of the past. I was not lonely at that time but later I was. I shall take time to pause-just a minute may be the words or thoughts I need to move forward. Thank you-your poem is beautifully written.