It’s hard to know what to say about our country and the world in 2026. I’m repeatedly struck dumb, horrified, paralyzed by the worst of situations, events, governance. What can we say that we haven’t said before? Why are so many not listening? And why are those who have the power and responsibility to do something doing nothing?
What can I say? I’m figuring that out on a daily basis, and in the meantime, I often turn to poets and peacemakers like Mary Oliver. (Thanks to my youngest daughter for bringing this one to my attention.)
by Mary Oliver
What can I say that I have not said before?
So I’ll say it again.
The leaf has a song in it.
Stone is the face of patience.
Inside the river there is an unfinishable story
and you are somewhere in it
and it will never end until all ends.
Take your busy heart to the art museum and the
chamber of commerce
but take it also to the forest.
….
(Read the rest here.)
~~~~~~~~~~
The Poetry Friday round-up this week is being hosted by Ruth at There is No Such Thing as a God-forsaken Town.
Photo courtesy of Pixabay and Nordseher.
The leaves are still singing, for sure. :) Your question about why those who have the power and responsibility are not doing something is an excellent question, and I hope we return to it (and bring it to their attention and primary them etc etc) as much as possible. May we be steady as the leaves xo
ReplyDelete"May we be steady as the leaves” — yes. Thanks, Tabatha.
Delete"...but take it also to the forest.
ReplyDeleteThe song you heard singing in the leaf when you
were a child
is singing still."
Such a good reminder that, as much as the world feels heavy now, we can find the singing leaves if we listen. Thanks for sharing.
Cathy, yes, I always find Oliver to be a balm and a reminder.
DeleteThank you (and your youngest) for this poem today. I will indeed take my busy heart to the forest today (as soon as it stops raining lol) to try to find some kind of healing. I'll copy that first stanza to put in my pocket and repeat over and over again.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mary, Lee, I love the idea of that first stanza traveling with you in the forest. ❤️
Delete"Stone is the face of patience" hit me so strongly, as did the wisdom we can always glean from Mary Oliver and from the forest. Thank you, Mary Lee!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cathy!!!
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver always takes us where we need to be, so thank you, Karen, & your daughter, for bringing an added support for nature's healing. We had quite a bit of snow last night & this morning, so needed, but all I can think is that Nicole Good can never see the wonder of nature's gifts again. I am so sad for her and for her family missing her to their depths.
ReplyDeleteA timeless reminder, always relevant. Thank you for sharing, Karen!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen. May nature help us heal.
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver is indeed a fine choice for these clouded days … (I've got one of her poetry collection in my current stack). Praying for courage and grace for us all🕊️🙏🏽
ReplyDeleteI think so many of us are feeling this way, especially when we all feel so powerless. Write to your representative? March? Vote? Done, done, done, and still, what good has it done? It's hard not to lose hope, but at the end, what else do we have but hope?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this poem. I wrote a poem about rivers this week and I love her line about rivers.
ReplyDeleteThe leaf is still singing. And we must keep saying what needs to be said. Nature loves repetition! Thank you, Karen. xo
ReplyDeleteInside the river there is an unfinishable story
ReplyDeleteand you are somewhere in it ---
If ever there is a hopeful thought, it is this.
Thank you, Karen.
Thank you all so much for chiming in and sharing in these moments — the terrible and challenging ones, and the hopeful ones too. ❤️
ReplyDeleteKaren, appreciations for your daughter, who brought you these soothing Mary Oliver ideas & you, for sharing. At mid-term elections, it feels, it seems that some shift would, should be felt. I'm galled that I'm paying for these egregious federal actions against people, when my taxes should bring me law enforcers that engender the peace of the people.
ReplyDeleteAnon just above is moi --- jan
ReplyDeleteMary Oliver's work is such a balm. Thank you for sharing it, Karen. I was especially touched by:
ReplyDeleteThe song you heard singing in the leaf when you
were a child
is singing still.