Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

This is by far my favorite poem by Mary Oliver, and perhaps my favorite poem. 

It's so deeply transformative, and it does what only poetry can do... it gives voice to that thing that deeply calls to us- the power of acceptance. Read it slowly and let it sink in.

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

Rest Well Jenny ♥️

 

Oh Jenny...

Your death is a stark reminder of how short this life is. What a kind, compassionate, engaging, intelligent woman you were. Your warmth and enthusiasm for classics and history will live in the hearts of so many of us. 

You are gone, but most definitely not forgotten my dear. 

Rest well Jenny. We will miss you. ♥️ 

Virginia Woolf Made Me Keep Kindle Unlimited

I am loving this so far

 

It's rare to be spoken to from the grave, but I could hear Virginia whispering, "Either buy my diary, or keep Kindle Unlimited to finish it."

Okay, that's a stretch, but it was a late night with a decaf coffee when I realized that I like having an array of books to scroll through when the mood hits. Sure I'd love to save the money and perhaps put it towards owning a book, but I don't collect books like many others do, so that isn't a huge incentive.

Every time I think of cancelling Kindle Unlimited, something like this comes across my recommendations, and I reconsider keeping it. 

My membership expires in less than 7 days, so I will just renew it. I think the price is egregious, but I have spent money on things that mean less.

People discuss the "lack of quality" of the books on KU, but in truth, there are gems on there. Lots of nonfiction (which I love), and most all of the classics.

Thanks Virginia, I think I'll keep it for now and see exactly what you were thinking and feeling up to your death.