Mary Oliver Poem #4: Invitation

Oh do you have time

to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude –
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in the broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

   What caught my attention about this poem was how Mary Oliver almost mockingly remarks on the reader's "busy day." When I read it in my head, I heard her using a cheeky tone, being playful or sarcastic. But what she says is absolutely true for many of us. We believe our lives are so important, so much so that sometimes it's all we want to talk about. This inherently means we find ourselves to be important, trumping everything else around us, whether that be people, plants, or animals. When Oliver puts it like that, it exposes how ludicrous that concept is. I began to question myself: why do I think my life is so important? What makes it so special from everyone else that it's worth bringing up into conversation how busy I am? Reflecting on these thoughts, it's clear that my own life is not worthy of being so self-centric. I live a pretty average life, full of beauty in its own way, but it's not all that special.

    Mary Oliver then invites us to put our focus on the goldfinches. Contrasting the exciting singing battle of these birds to my everyday life puts it into perspective even further. Why do I let my life consume my energy when I could be entertained by sights far more entertaining, such as the show she describes? Oliver also explains that the finches sing not for competition but for the sheer joy that they have the ability to sing. Reflecting on my life's motivations, I recognized that competition plays a significant role. While competition serves as a positive source of motivation, it's essential to alleviate the pressure and embrace living in the present moment. Adopting a mindset that appreciates the opportunities I am fortunate enough to have should guide my actions, even in tasks I may not particularly enjoy. Each day on Earth is a blessing, an opportunity to lead a life that is truly worth being alive for.

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