Mary Oliver: Work, Sometimes
I was sad all day, and why not. There I was, books piled
on both sides of the table, paper stacked up, words
falling off my tongue.
The robins had been a long time singing, and now it
was beginning to rain.
What are we sure of? Happiness isn’t a town on a map,
or an early arrival, or a job well done, but good work
ongoing. Which is not likely to be the trifling around
with a poem.
Then it began raining hard, and the flowers in the yard
were full of lively fragrance.
You have had days like this, no doubt. And wasn’t it
wonderful, finally, to leave the room? Ah, what a
moment!
As for myself, I swung the door open. And there was
the wordless, singing world. And I ran for my life.
Discussion Questions
What resonated with you in this piece?
How does Mary Oliver’s definition of Happiness resonate with your experience over the last year?
What expectations do you have for this year?
Reflections from #MedHumChat
“The heaviness of the words falling from the narrator's mouth, contrasted with the freedom of the wordless, singing world. It felt like a breath of fresh air. The good work is taken over by nature and doesn't solely rest on the shoulders of the poet.” —@OdyO11
“I really loved how relevant the feeling of being trapped in work can be, and then taking just a minute to breathe in the beauty around can help you come to such a better & more productive place! Have certainly been feeling that lately.” —@therhealmvp
“The idea of Happiness seems to be a journey into self-love and introspection - being able to sit with one's present self, even as time goes on. Recognizing the worth of a moment, rather than an event or an achievement. It seems like healing and mindfulness.” —@ysaralee
About this #MedHumChat
“Work, Sometimes” was paired with “A Clearing,” a poem by Denise Levertov for a #MedHumChat discussion March 17, 2021 on Expectations.
The pieces for this chat, as well as the discussion questions, were curated by Rebecca Omlor (@BeccaOm15).
About the Author
Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was an American poet, winner of a National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize. Her poetry is known for its imagery and celebration of the natural world, a major theme being the intersection of the human and natural worlds.