When I am Among the Trees (Mary Oliver poem)

When I am Among the Trees (Mary Oliver poem)
When I am among the trees poem by Mary Oliver illustrated Old Growth (pastel) by Polly Castor

When I am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,
especially the willows and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves
and call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”

 

by Mary Oliver

Sun After Weeks of Rain (pastel) by Polly Castor

 

To the Left of the Entrance to New Pond Farm (pastel) by Polly Castor

 

Reaching for the Light (pastel) by Polly Castor
I work to amplify good wherever I find it. I love color, texture, beauty, great ideas, nature, metaphor, deliciousness, genuine spirituality, and exploring new territory. I encourage authenticity, nurture creativity, champion sustainability, promote peace, and hope to foster a new renaissance where we all are free to be our most fulfilled, multifaceted, and terrific selves. Read more here.

2 Comments

  1. K 1 year ago

    Wonderful. Someone just gave me a Mary Oliver book- love her views on nature. Great pairing of painting and poem!

  2. Sue+Krevitt 1 year ago

    Love Mary Oliver!

    Love Redwoods!

    Love you!

    Love Life and Love!!

    😊💓

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