“and you too have come into the world to do this – to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”
How saddened I was yesterday when I heard that Mary Oliver had died. While I love other poets, such as John O’Donohue and Wendell Berry, I feel such a strong attachment to Mary Oliver as a person. I was introduced to her poetry in 2011-2012 during my coaching training with Integral Coaching Canada and she opened my heart as she spoke about her love of nature. And in such a clear, simple and honest fashion that I began to find my own expression of my love of nature.
It is difficult for me to pick out a favourite poem as there are so many, but here is one that resonates with me today.
When I Am Among the Trees
When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
– Mary Oliver
