This was a difficult week - the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School was, as it should be, much in everyone's thoughts. And, even as we went about our business throughout the school week, my kids had many questions and feelings they needed to take the time to share and figure out. It was, really, an emotionally exhausting week...and then a little package arrived from Amazon, a gift I had purchased for myself in a sudden moment of self indulgence: Mary Oliver's " A Thousand Mornings" ...
Poem, by poem, I felt restored and centered once again...especially by this poem:
The Gardener
Have I lived enough?
Have I loved enough?
Have I considered Right Action enough, have I
come to any conclusion?
Have I experienced happiness with sufficient gratitude?
Have I endured loneliness with grace?
I say this, or perhaps I'm just thinking it.
Actually, I probably think too much.
Then I step out into the garden,
where the gardener, who is said to be a simple man,
is tending his children, the roses.
Here is Mary Oliver herself, speaking to the power of poetry, and the poems in A Thousand Mornings:
http://www.npr.org/2012/10/14/162785079/a-thousand-mornings-with-poet-mary-oliver
Tara, I am so glad you got that present for yourself! I am always in awe of your work, but this week especially, and am so glad you have this way to be restored.
ReplyDeleteMy husband picked up a copy for me, and it has been sitting patiently waiting. My daughter's on the red eye tonight, so tomorrow she and my husband will pick a tree. I think then it will be time for me to crack this open. I read John Green's The Fault in Our Stars a few days ago, partly because I'd been meaning to at the end of the semester, but I found the love and courage in that book also healing.
And I look forward to reading that interview. You always find the best links. May you find some peace with that soft book in your hands. And truly I'm so grateful for the amazing work you do, Tara. Now, take a break if you can. We need you.
Thanks for the kind words, Jeannine. Oliver's new poems dovetail where I find myself in my journey through life...I find myself really dwelling in this new collection, and I know you will delight in it, too. Happy New Year - and happy holidays, too!
DeleteIt has been quite a week, when it's supposed to be things like "oh, the kids are so excited, they cannot wait for vacation!". Instead we must take the time to watch & mourn & talk with students & colleagues to help them, too. I watched way too much tv instead of unpacking. Thank you for this beautiful poem & for the interview, Tara. Lovely words, & I especially liked, on this solstice day, "that rising of the light moves me very much". Me, too. I hope you have a wonderful & joyous & restful time with your family!
ReplyDeleteWell, they needed us to take the time - we made welcome back to school cards on Friday during our party for the children of Sandy Hook, wishing them well for the new year in their new building. How fortunate that there was another place to go after the horror of last week. And so many souls working so hard to make their new place of learning special. As I reminded my kids last Monday - there are more good guys in this world than bad guys...and we must believe in that. Happy holidays, Linda...and happy New Year, too!
DeleteTara, Thank you for sharing this poem with all of us. I needed it too, and it will now be tucked inside my notebook. Your students are very fortunate to have you as their teacher; someday they, too, will turn to poetry in times of need. Many warm wishes to you and your family this holiday. a.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy - your pom this week spoke to so much that we discussed. Thank you for that lovely poem, too. And all the best to you and your family through the holidays and the new year.
DeleteThe kindergarteners didn't know much, and it seemed that all they needed was for life to go on as normal, for the Gingerbread Man to get eaten all up and for their own poems of seasons and weather to be enjoyed by their families. But every morning this week on the way to school I cried, wondering whether we had all lived and loved enough should everything end suddenly. Thank you for the mercy of this poem, Tara.
ReplyDeleteYou are exactly right - and your kindergartners were lucky to have you to ensure their kindergarten-specific joy in the world around them. I am glad for this holiday break from our building...time to regroup.
DeleteI'm thinking I may need to give myself the gift of Mary Oliver, too.
ReplyDeleteI love Mary Oliver and haven't seen this new collection yet. Thank you for sharing it--it's going on wish list. Thank goodness for poetry and friends and teachers to bring us peace and healing when we need it.
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing Mary Oliver's poem. It is quite lovely and really gets you in the end.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! Thank you so much! I bumped into your post as I was compiling mine on my new blog called Die Awesome (http://bit.ly/14HXnXn). I found her book much the way you did - bumped into it, indulged and found myself wholly restored. Here's to the power of poetry :)
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