I’m in, on the surface, one of the world’s un-poetic places. Disney World. And yet. And yet. It’s been busy, with tired children and tired in-laws and lots of walking and lots of crowds. Finally, at last, yesterday afternoon I had a few moments to sit down and read. And I opened the new O magazine. And it was all about poetry. Once again, the universe smiled on me.
My favorite words in this issue packed with words I loved were these, from Mark Nepo, on the last page:
You Ask About Poetry
You ask from an island so far away
it remains unspoiled. To walk quietly
til the miracle in everything speaks
is poetry. You want to look for poetry
in your soul and in everyday life, as you
search for stones on the beach. Four
thousand miles away ,as the sun ices
the snow, I smile. For in this moment,
you are the poem. After years of looking,
I can only say that searching for
small things worn by the deep is
the art of poetry, But listening
to what they say is the poem.
To walk quietly till the miracle in everything speaks is poetry.
Isn’t this, ultimately, what I am trying to do, every minute of my life? To seek the poetry in everyday life? To observe the miraculous twinnedness of life and death in the unfurling of trees around me, the endings and beginnings in January light, the message in a frost-covered field and the heartbreaking words of a five year old boy? To be quiet so that the messages can come through, so that I can finally hear my own voice, so that I can be open to the thanksgiving that children offer?
To listen to what they say.
Yes. Yes, it is. Everyday life. The practice and the poem.
Yes.
A beautiful reminder, thank you.
I thought of you when I opened that issue!
Have a grand time….
XOXO
“for in this moment / you are the poem”
I will carry that with me all day.
There is poetry everywhere, but it takes a poet to find it at Disney World. Say hi to Mickey for us and enjoy!
the poetry in everyday life…it is what you offer. and it is what fills me with wild gratitude (when i present enough to witness/feel it). safe and happy travels.
Beautiful poem. I hope you are having a great time and know you are making wonderful memories for your children there.
I must agree – that poem IS you. Beautiful! Hope you are having fun at the happiest place on earth.
Lovely. Something I’ve been thinking about lately, trying to hold those thoughts in place as they (and time and my patience) slip through my fingers. Happy weekend Lindsay!
I too love this issue and Mary Oliver’s “Journey.”
Your life is the poem. You are already doing it.
Have fun in the land of magic!
Pamela
Maybe un-poetic as an adult, but most certainly not to a child! If you can see it through their eyes, or even just delight in their wonder, the poetry is certainly there.
“small things worn by the deep” made me think of Yves Tanguy whose painting and world-view was inspired by things washed up on the shores of Brittany having been much worn by the deep (http://www.yvestanguy.org/en/)… from Disney World to Yves Tanguy World (yes, there actually is one), here’s to the poetry you invite us to live in this here and now world.
Lindsey: Have you read Nepo’s The Book of Awakening? I recommend it.
Yes! I’m reading it right now!!
I was so excited to get my “O” in the mail, and to find such bountiful words–novel and familiar–before me. It seems as though you are extremely gifted at seeing poetry in the everyday, Lindsey. Even in such commercialized places as Disneyland!