Friday, January 31, 2014

Poetry Friday: "Everyday I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight...."


After a big plumbing problem (still not resolved, they're working on it) occurred at our house last weekend, I was stressed and depressed. But such things always make me sit up, look around, take stock. They make me grateful for everything in my life that does work -- my marriage, my family, my faith, my friends. As I tweeted the other day:

~~~~~
Celebrated our 30th anniversary dealing with a major plumbing issue. Atticus, there's no one else in the world I'd rather stress out with.

~~~~~ 

So, this Mary Oliver poem seems fitting for this week. Even when it feels like everything is going wrong, it's true: "Everyday I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight...."

Mindful
by Mary Oliver

Everyday
I see or hear
something
that more or less

kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle

in the haystack
of light.
It was what I was born for —
to look, to listen,

to lose myself
inside this soft world —
to instruct myself
over and over

in joy,
....

(Read the whole poem here, at The Writer's Almanac.)


Tricia has the round up this week at The Miss Rumphius Effect.

Photo thanks to Stock.xchng

6 comments:

kortney said...

that's high praise!

happy anniversary!

peace keep you.

jama said...

Sorry to hear about the plumbing problems (they are the worst). Hope things get resolved soon.

Mary's poem is a great way to refocus on the positive things and people in our lives -- stuff we usually take for granted.

Happy Anniversary!! Are you sure you're old enough to be married 30 years? Best Wishes to you and Atticus. :)

Tara said...

So, we came to the same poem in such different ways, Karen. That's the gift Oliver gives us - and poetry, in general.

Karen Edmisten said...

Thanks for the anniversary (and good plumbing) wishes!
Jama, I am old enough to have been married for, oh, thirty-TWO years. :)
Tara, how lovely that we both chose "Mindful" for Poetry Friday. Love that.

Mary Lee said...

So fun to see this poem twice in one roundup!

Unknown said...

How's your plumbing issue now? The thing with plumbing problems is that the effect is felt right away with the inability to use your sink or bathroom. I just hope you get it fixed right away! If ever you experience recurrence of problem, you can pay an expert a visit.

James Warren