Writerly Wednesday : Images and Poetry from Chapter 3 in MAP Novel-in-Progress

The Journey

by Mary Oliver




One day you finally knew 

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice-

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug at your ankles.













"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.












It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voice begind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper 

into the world,

determined to do the only thing you could do-

determined to save

the only life that you could save












These images and especially this incredible poem by Mary Oliver perfectly capture the first breakthrough moment for the main character, which occurs in Chapter 3 and inspires her to make the first of many life-changing decisions.



Creating these weekly previews of each chapter reminds me of why I loved writing this book and how I can't wait to share it with you, very soon.



Until next week,



Suzanne