Thursday, June 12, 2014

Field Day

The Summer Day

By Mary Oliver

 

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean-

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

 

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24 comments:

  1. pencilfoxJune 12, 2014 at 7:07 AM

    damn.
    i needed this splendiferous post.
    the photos.
    the poem.
    glimpses of you and a wild spotted creature and beautiful flowers and blue skies.
    thanks for lifting my weary spirit.
    love, love, and more love to thee....

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:01 AM

      You lift my spirit, I lift yours. That's how we do it.
      Friends. xxO

      Delete
  2. stiefbeenJune 12, 2014 at 7:21 AM

    Wat een voorrecht om daar te kunnen zijn wat is dat mooi.

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:04 AM

      de schoonheid om me heen en geen drukte! ik ben gezegend, inderdaad. dank u voor uw aanwezigheid hier!

      Delete
  3. Optimistic ExistentialistJune 12, 2014 at 7:30 AM

    WOW these photos are amazing...endless beauty of Mother Nature as far as the eye can see. I love that picture of you two at the end. That's an awesome area for a picnic! :)

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:09 AM

      We did picnic right there. Beautiful view, not a soul around but the us and the occasional buzzard!

      Delete
  4. NikenJune 12, 2014 at 8:29 AM

    so beautiful, so grand. ah, i wish i could have this field days too. i imagine how you feel being there in person. even though i only see it through your photos, i'm in awe. big time.

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:10 AM

      It's such a special place, Niken. Even I am in awe. :)

      Delete
  5. CushionistaJune 12, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    A lovely post and fantastic photos, what a way to bring this landscape to life so that we can all share it beauty.

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:12 AM

      Thanks! It was a gorgeous day and the beauty is there for the taking!

      Delete
  6. DianaJune 12, 2014 at 5:24 PM

    That Mary Oliver poem is perfect with these images (love her). That shot of the two of you is perfect! What a peaceful day.

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:14 AM

      That's what it definitely was! A peaceful day, for sure. It was one of those days, one you could never repeat. Simply the best. ;)

      Delete
  7. MrsLittleJeansJune 13, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    Magical place...profound questions in that poem...sure you are in heaven out there xx

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:15 AM

      That poem. I know! I re read that poem and it always makes me think & think. x

      Delete
  8. sage and spiritJune 13, 2014 at 5:55 PM

    I love these photos, that poem, the idea of kneeling in the grass, blessed to know we share in the seasons and gifts of nature. I can't get this one out of my head....

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:19 AM

      I guess I feel the same way. The pictures from this special day, the way the wind smelled, that abandoned cabin, the colors of that day, I'll never forget it, how it felt. xx

      Delete
  9. debJune 16, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    such beauty! I want to have a prairie field day every time I visit you ♥

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:24 AM

      I will try to bring out the grandest prairie I can find for you, Deb! x

      Delete
  10. Farm and FieldJune 17, 2014 at 9:10 AM

    What a wide expanse of beauty, to match the wide expanse of your generous heart.

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:29 AM

      Well shucks, B, what a kind thing to say.
      Big smile. xo

      Delete
  11. Mountain FoundJune 19, 2014 at 9:35 PM

    Lynn, This is my favorite poem. And these photos of yours are really good. Your land takes my breath away! Did you know I named an earring after you and your land! I did. Because you are are so good at being the "Wyoming Prairie Girl." xoxo

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:37 AM

      I did not know that! But, now I do. I'm honored, truly.
      I love those earrings. My favorites. I wear the heck out of them and my pendant and my porcupine bullet shells...Aka Annie Oakley's! I also think those antler/turquoise earrings are worn by more ladies here in my town than anywhere else, don't you think?
      Thank you for stopping by and sharing your words. I've missed you!

      Delete
  12. Sally Tharpe RowlesJune 21, 2014 at 10:30 PM

    I love this poem. I posted once on my blog in memory of a very special friend. It always makes me sad & happy every time I read it. Beautiful photos too. I am glad to have discovered your blog.

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    1. prairiegirlJune 22, 2014 at 5:41 AM

      I know, it seems this Mary Oliver poem touches everyone in some way. It's brilliant.
      Nice to have you here!

      Delete

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