From Mary Oliver’s latest volume, Red Bird, “Invitation”:
Oh do you have timeto lingerfor just a little whileout of your busyand very important dayfor the goldfinchesthat have gatheredin a field of thistlesfor a musical battle,to see who can singthe highest note,or the lowest,or the most expressive of mirth,or the most tender?Their strong, blunt beaksdrink the airas they strivemelodiouslynot for your sakeand not for mineand not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude—believe us, they say,it is a serious thingjust to be aliveon this fresh morningin the broken world.I beg of you,do not walk bywithout pausingto attend to thisrather ridiculous performance.It could mean something.It could mean everything.It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:You must change your life.
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