Felicity

by Mary Oliver

Moments There are moments that cry out to be fulfilled. Like, telling someone you love them. Or giving your money away, all of it. 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 Wildest Storm Yesterday the wildest storm I ever witnessed flew past west to east, a shaggy howling sky-beast flinging hail even as lightning printed out its sizzling unreadable language followed by truly terrible laughter. But, no. Maybe it wasn’t laughter but a reminder we need— seemingly something to do with power. What could it be? What could it be? What do you think it could be?

Storage When I moved from one house to another there were many things I had no room for. What does one do? I rented a storage space. And filled it. Years passed. Occasionally I went there and looked in, but nothing happened, not a single twinge of the heart. 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. I felt like the little donkey when his burden is finally lifted. 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.

“Someone who does not run toward the allure of love walks a road where nothing lives.” RUMI

A Voice from I Don’t Know Where 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.”