Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Poetry Thursday- Cliche'


This week we are to choose a cliche' and let the meaning of the cliché (or clichés) be the stimulus for a poem. I chose "Time is a cure" and Mary Oliver's poem nailed this cliche' for me. My ALS has given me time to heal from the fear of death, which could have broken me . I feel my acceptance of ALS has been a cure for my spirit.

CREATE A CONNECTION PHOTO THURSDAY
Time will also FIND a cure, which fits in with "Create a Connection's" theme of "Find."

When Death Comes

When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox

when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.

When it's over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.

By Mary Oliver






25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am working on healing from the fear, but not there just yet. A perfect and lovely poem to help me along.

Norma said...

I didn't know this poem. It is wonderful. Will tuck it away.

Anonymous said...

Hi Tammy! This poem is deeply beautiful with much to consider - thank you for sharing it.

I think time could have the opposite effect on some people too. Or work its healing magic in other, unexpected ways. Amazing how we're each gifted with just what we need as regards time - whether we realize it or not. Quite a lot to ponder.

Hugs right back at you, dear one.

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful poem :-)

Anonymous said...

I am liking Mary Oliver more and more! Thanks for posting this, Tammy!

Anonymous said...

Thanks Tammy - such a moving poem. I fel like pasting that last line above my desk just to remind me.

Anonymous said...

I really like these words:
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence


Thank you, Tammy, for posting such an inspirational poem.

Nancy said...

Yes Tammy, quite a beautiful poem...but what's even more beautiful is what you got from it and the way in which you live your life.

Hugs to you,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

The poem and photos are so fitting for this week's themes, Tammy. I'm so glad you have had the luxury of time to work through some things and that, in working through them, you have come out stronger and with a fighting spirit.

Anonymous said...

I am glad to have discovered Mary Oliver through blogging! Yum!

Anonymous said...

What does one say, after that? Nothing. It's a nice piece.

Anonymous said...

This is an amazing poem. And you are an amazing woman, Tammy - truly inspiring. I know I say that a lot about you, but really, I'm in awe of how you live your life.

Anonymous said...

i love this poem and cherish miss oliver's words like noone's business. i love the photograph of you.

Anonymous said...

yes, ditto what everyone has said about you & this poem!

i used to work with folks with als & many of them didn't have this kind of resolve & determination that you exhibit (i'm a speech therapist)...yes, you are an inspiration indeed!

blessings to you,
mary ann

Anonymous said...

Beautiful. That is a sentiment I have tried to capture often - and express to certain people in my life when I post various messages on my blog. Life is a gift, it doesn't matter how healthy you are, you don't know when your time will come. You must cherish each moment, the people in your life - and make sure you've done your best to leave this world a better place than you found it.

Wonderful poem, excellent post. On that note - I'm going to bed. I always try to end on the high point.

Catherine said...

I've always loved this one, as I love most of Mary Oliver's poems. Though I also find it very challenging.

Anonymous said...

Enjoying your recent posts...good for you leaving the drama behind! And this poem of Oliver's is one of my all-time favorites...such a delicate and yet forceful reminder to live each moment fully, to embrace life for all it is, and when death comes...to embrace it as well.
I miss you dear friend and think of you often.
Love you,
td

Anonymous said...

I am another who has discovered Mary Oliver through other bloggers sharing her work. I should go buy a book of hers.

Thanks for posting.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I've never heard of Mary Oliver, but that's a great poem. I like the contrast between "visiting" like a being wed to life (bride and bridegroom). I also like the honesty of "Death comes". Thanks.

Anonymous said...

My darling, you are one brave woman. I think of you as the girl who finds a teeny, tiny glimmer of hope in all situations. Just as a warrior should.

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

I printed this poem out--it is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever read. I know that one day soon (I can hardly bear to write this) I will have to speak something for my sweet brother, who now, besides being totally blind from diabetes, also suffers from MS and Parkinsons. And still gets up every day. And still has a sense of humor. And I love him so much. BUt then we are all of us "flowers of grass," as common as field daisies, and yet singular and precious to the earth. Thanks for this.

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love Mary Oliver...I don't think I've read this one yet. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

That Mary Oliver - nobody says it better. Amazing poem, and it fits you, Tammy, 'cuz you are an amazing woman! Much love xoxo

Anonymous said...

Magnificent entry for Poetry Thursday. I'm glad you stopped by my blog so that I could discover yours.

Anonymous said...

She is my all time favorite poet right now-I loved this poem.

I want those things too.