Felicity

by Mary Oliver

Your heart is beating, isn’t it? You’re not in chains, are you? There is nothing more pathetic than caution when headlong might save a life, even, possibly, your own.

The world I live in and believe in is wider than that. And anyway, what’s wrong with Maybe?

only if there are angels in your head will you ever, possibly, see one.

Try to find the right place for yourself. If you can’t find it, at least dream of it.

Some words will never leave God’s mouth, no matter how hard you listen.

For how many years did I wander slowly through the forest. What wonder and glory I would have missed had I ever been in a hurry! •

The point is, you’re you, and that’s for keeps.

I Wake Close to Morning Why do people keep asking to see God’s identity papers when the darkness opening into morning is more than enough? Certainly any god might turn away in disgust. Think of Sheba approaching the kingdom of Solomon. Do you think she had to ask, “Is this the place?”

Do you bow your head when you pray or do you look up into that blue space? Take your choice, prayers fly from all directions. And don’t worry about what language you use, God no doubt understands them all.

As I grew older the things I cared about grew fewer, but were more important.

but only those lovers who didn’t choose at all but were, as it were, chosen by something invisible and powerful and uncontrollable and beautiful and possibly even unsuitable— only those know what I’m talking about in this talking about love.

I wish I could sing. A little thanks from every throat would be appropriate.

Each of us wears a shadow.

Love is the one thing the heart craves and love is the one thing you can’t steal.

All I know is that “thank you” should appear somewhere.

Be still, my soul, and steadfast. Earth and heaven both are still watching though time is draining from the clock and your walk, that was confident and quick, has become slow.

Let God and the world know you are grateful.

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”

my favorite quote

It seems you love this world very much. “Yes,” I said. “This beautiful world.” And you don’t mind the mind, that keeps you busy all the time with its dark and bright wonderings? “No, I’m quite used to it. Busy, busy, all the time.” And you don’t mind living with those questions, I mean the hard ones, that no one can answer? “Actually, they’re the most interesting.” And you have a person in your life whose hand you like to hold? “Yes, I do.” It must surely, then, be very happy down there in your heart. “Yes,” I said. “It is.”