Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

THE SUMMER DAY by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-the one who has flung herself
out of the grass, who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and
down--who is gazing around with her enormous and
complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes
her face.
Now she snaps her wings open and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down in the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild
and precious life.....

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

My plan: "Eat, drink, and be merry." :) [And enjoy a beautiful poem...]

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

Don't forget chocolate!
I like the quote at the end of your bio, too. From Irene.
Have been meaning to ask, what is the signifigance of your profile photo?

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

Good to buck you up

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

Bonnie,

The profile photo was taken during an evangelical function of our local Chinese congregation back in summer, 2000 (?). I (at the piano) only was 'active' there for a couple of years - sort of 'on loan' from the church in our town where my husband and I had met and married.

The 'singers' in the picture are the same ones that had brought me meals during my first bout of breast cancer in 2003. Our pastor back then, a middle-aged preacher who was working on his Ph. D in the seminary, had encouraged our members to show their 'love in Christ'.

When my 2nd Sister came in 2007 to take care of me for two months after the mastectomy, one of the church members pretty much accompanied my sister everywhere - shopping, running chores, ...

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

What a wonderful story Jackie. And a great way to honor them here.

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

I love your poem, Bonnie.

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

I knew I recognized her the author's name. I love her poem, "The Journey." This one was new to me.
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps...line_poems.htm

Re: Poem I was sent and want to share...
 

Thanks for the additional inspirational poems!
Keep the faith.