Today, I scooped an article entitled “Why Questions Are More Important Than Answers.” I added a short piece: “Questions keep us moving. Answers end conversations and their messages.”
Being present and mindful exposes the extraordinary on life’s canvas. I ask only to be astonished with eloquent questions which I am unable to answer, because the next question reveals itself playfully in front of me; again to go unanswered.
I love Mary Oliver‘s poetry and this poem resonated today.
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 gift of the poet is to be ever and always surprised and therefore taking nothing for granted. Mary Oliver has that quality in buckets.
Love post and agree about questions, Ivan.
She is a remarkable poet.
Great educators are masters at asking the right questions.
And waiting in the space of silence. I find it hard to wait sometimes.
The fun of the journey into life is the paths running off the main path and the paths running off those. Heading down a side path is like heading down a rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland. Questions answered often leads to more questions if you are walking a creative chaotic path.
I love Mary Oliver, and couldn’t articulate a better response than Alex already provided. Questions offer the keys to continuous delight and wonder…
You are right on all counts Mimi.
Wonderful comment Alex. The Alice analogy is rich.
Reblogged this on James' World.
Very well writtem..Ivon.Just shows how small we appear in the large spectrum of things..Excellent job.
Thank you Swati.