Felicity

by Mary Oliver

Nothing Is Too Small Not to Be Wondered About

As I grew older the things I cared about grew fewer, but were more important. So one day I undid the lock and called the trash man. He took everything.

Things! Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful fire! More room in your heart for love, for the trees! For the birds who own nothing—the reason they can fly.

What is your heart doing now? “Remembering. Remembering!”

I want to remember everything. Which is why I’m lying awake, sleepy but not sleepy enough to give it up.