A FLOWER AND A POEM

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird - 

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn? 

Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me keep 

my mind on what matters, which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be

astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture,

which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,

which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

that we live forever.

The Messenger by Mary Oliver

 My favorite poet of all time.

The plant above is from my archives. It is the Giant Spider Lily. You can click on its name for more information.