Poets speak with succinct phrases that are packed with meaning. And that is so very hard to do. Have you ever tried to put the whole of your life’s focus in a few words?
Once I had a dream that seemed to me to be all I would ever need to know. I say it was a dream. It actually was only 3 words, in bold black print and framed. They were Remember, Relax, Relate. Right. Weird. And I’ve spent a lot of my time since trying to figure out what they mean. It is surprising (or perhaps, not) how many times they have spoken to me in different ways in different situations. Succinct phrases – pregnant with meaning for the moment.
One of my favorite poets is Mary Oliver and she says this:
“What I loved in the beginning, I think, was mostly myself. Never mind that I had to, since somebody had to. That was many years ago. Since then I have gone out from my confinements, though with difficulty. I mean the ones that thought to rule my heart. I cast them out, I put them on the mush pile. they will be nourishment somehow (everything is nourishment somehow or another). And I have become the child of the clouds, and of hope. I have become the friend of the enemy, whoever that is. I have become older and , cherishing what I have learned, I have become younger.
And what do I risk to tell you this, which is all I know? Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.”
Janie Cook is a retired teacher who lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Gareth. She shares her days with family and friends (a precious privilege), facilitates a bereaved parents’ support group and enjoys digging in the Texas Hill Country dirt & learning about natural gardening.
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Beautifully said and, I’m a witness, beautifully lived, my friend.
This is so gorgeous, Janie. And I concur with Mary Ann – and Mary (Oliver)!