Sheer delight and gratitude (Mary Oliver)

Oh do you have time

to linger

for just a little while

out of your busy

and very important day

for the goldfinches

that have gathered

in a field of thistles

for a musical battle

to see who can sing

the highest note,

or the lowest

or the most expressive of mirth,

or the most tender?

Their strong, blunk beaks

drink the air

as they strive

melodiously

not for your sake

and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning

but for sheer delight and gratitude –

believe us, they say,

it is a serious thing

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in the broken world.

I beg of you,

do not walk by

without pausing

to attend to this

rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.

It could mean everything.

It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote,

You must change your life.

--Mary Oliver, Invitation    

Blessings on Thanksgiving

from Our Lady of Mount Carmel 

Mill Valley!  

Image source:  http://www.birdrap.com/2016/07/american-goldfinch-thistle-centennial.html

Poem source