It took a few days to post this. Michele shared a line from Invitation by Mary Oliver as a reminder we are each invited to linger in the natural world and its mysteries. When we do this, we experience the potential for a sense of wonder and awe to take hold. We move past curiosity and just being in the world, feeling we are each an integral part of the fabric of nature and the universe.
We are not world travellers, but take time to explore our backyard and a little beyond in the US and Mexico. When we travel, we hike and experience nature’s wonder. What is remarkable is how fortunate I am to witness some of this in my daily life. Years ago, as we prepared to go to church, I stepped out on the porch. About 5 metres from me a cow moose grazed on willows. She ate and glanced at me from time to time, seemingly unthreatened. Another time, as I travelled home, I saw an eagle perched on a deer carcass, likely the victim of a passing vehicle, on the edge of the forest. In both cases, I watched in wonder without taking pictures. Those remembrances are fresh and vividly imprinted on me as if they were yesterday, not 30-40 years ago.
I took the picture below in Yellowstone. We stopped and I walked about 50 metres to find access to enter the ditch rather than going down a steep embankment to avoid alarming the animal. I carefully and quietly walked to within 5-10 metres. The bull elk remained aware of me and the other person and continued to graze. I took 2-3 pictures. The one below is in a digital frame and appears every few minutes during the day.
Here, is the poem by Mary Oliver reminding me I am invited into this sense of wonder. The invitation calls on me to take care, be patient, and just be in the presence of other-than-human beings. As the poet tells me, I linger in the presence rather than rush away. I thrill in the willingness of this wonderful being to let me share nature with it.
Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles
for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,
or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air
as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing
just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,
do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.
It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.
Teacher as Transformer 
they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine;
and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude …
YES. And isn’t this the truth? Humans seek approval or validation at every turn, but as long as I have lived and witnessed nature, she just IS. She simply DOES. We (as a species) might do well to emulate her more often!
Good hearing from you, Ivon! ❤
There is a mindfulness and presence to Nature that goes unnoticed. It is so mystical what you say Bela in the sense that Mary Oliver spoke in a mystical voice through poetry. Good to be back
💚
Lovely.
Thank you
Beautiful words from you, Ivon, and Mary Oliver’s poem. There is nothing in the world better than becoming one with nature. Somehow, life slowly starts to make sense. Thank you for re-blogging my post. I so appreciate it.
Thank you Michele. I agree. Life makes so much more sense when we are part of nature, rather than watching it as a TV show or external spectacle.
When I lived in the country, I enjoyed sitting on my front porch quietly and watching nature’s creatures at play. One little squirrel would come up on the porch and sit with me. A hummingbird landed on my hand. Still makes me happy to think of those moments close to nature.
Even in an urban setting, I find animals approach us with caution. Once they sense we do not pose a threat they seem to be comfortable with us in their midst.
A number of years ago, we came home late after I played hockey out of town. We rarely ever tied our dog up. When we pulled in, she got up and started towards the car, but changed direction down the back of the house. I saw a lump that had not been there before. Suddenly, it moved in a very distinctive way, waddling away from the do towards the corner. I had visions of having to be up all night pulling quills out of the dog’s muzzle or running to the vet. As quickly and quietly as I could, I followed, trying not to spook either animal. They went around the corner of the house and out of sight. When I got to the corner I saw them again and called softly to the dog. She hesitated, took a step, and then looked at me, coming to a stop. The porcupine continued along, parked itself under a spruce tree, and turned to watch us. I got to the dog before she changed her mind.
If we understand we are part of the fabric, it can alter how we experience being in nature and the presence of other than human beings.
Thanks for sharing that connection to nature.
Thank you for this reminder.
You are welcome
So lovely 🩷🩷🩷
Thank you Patrice
Ivon, I live near a reserve that houses a man-made lagoon. One of the most peaceful times of my day is walking my little dog around that lagoon. There are always some wondrous sights to see. Birds and waterfowl of many types, depending upon the time of year, enjoy the area too. The following from Mary Oliver’s poem brought a knowing smile to my face and thoughts.
“for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest”
It is an opportunity to experience moments of peace when we have those opportunities on a regular basis. I recall walking in Glacier National Park on a path surrounded by heavy growth and wondering what was sitting in the undergrowth I could not see or hear at that moment.
My life is spent listening to the sounds of nature, though at times it truly is deafening at the decibels they reach, for me it is the sound of their joy for life that we must all find. Hoping you are well.
Closing one’s eyes and listening to the sounds around us can be so enlightening. We are doing well. All the best to you.
Exactly wishing you the very best as well in this loud universe we live in. I will take frogs, insects and birds and my river over all the ugliness in the world. HUGS
Lovely
Thank you
I miss your thought provoking posts. May your life be filled with blessings.
I am trying to be more active. I have to find a way to integrate some of my other writing into the blog. I have written, published, and presented about hope recently and I want to integrate that and other work I am doing.
Thank you for the kind words.
I echo Gypsy Bev’s comment.
Ahh, so enjoyed this invitation to let nature in, Ivon, and I never tire of lovely Mary Oliver. Lovely post.
Thank you Jet. Yes, it is hard to tire of Mary Oliver. There is a special, mystical quality in her words.
Lovely post 😊 To linger in nature even for a fleeting moment is a balm for the soul!😀
Thank you. It is for sure.