Mary Oliver

I really loved the three Mary Oliver poems that we needed to read for class. "Six Recognitions of the Lord" was my favorite! It tied in beautifully with our class discussions about nature.
In "Six Recognitions of the Lord," the opening was perfect. "I know a lot of fancy words. I tear them from my heart and my tongue. Then I pray." I think so many times we cote our true feelings with fancy words to make things sound better. So many times I catch myself at a loss for words because I'm searching for good words, not raw words. I just love the honesty in this poem. In first sentence of the second section she says "Lord God, mercy is in your hands, pour me a little. And tenderness too. My need is great" I love that. To me it just comes across so humble and straight forward. She isn't asking for earthly things.
In the third section she talks so beautifully about what Professor Corrigan was talking about in class. "Then I enter the place of not-thinking, not-remembering, not-wanting." Sometimes it is best just to sit and know that God is God. To not beckon him, to not ask anything, to cease all desire, and just be with him. To sit in his presence in silence of heart, body, and mind. Just be.
At the end of that section she says "Then I go back to town, to my own house, my own life, which has now become brighter and simpler, somewhere I have never been before." Spending time with God simply makes life better. We need His fellowship. Communion with Him makes life brighter and more simple.
And tying this more into our nature theme in class, starting off section four she says "Of course I have always known you are present in the clouds, and the black oak I especially adore, and the wings of birds." I love this :) Out in nature is where I tend to connect with God the strongest. He created this beautiful planet, and we have the opportunity everyday to enjoy it. He is present in it. His fingerprints are on it. When I look at flowers, I am in awe. They are beautiful, and my beautiful God created them. Sometimes that simply thought just blows my mind. We serve such a creative God. His creation is so intricate that it would be a complete waste not to cherish it, not to adore it, not to behold it when it is right in front of us and all we have to do is look. "Slowly appreciation swells to astonishment. And we enter the dialogue of our lives that is beyond all understanding or conclusion. It is mystery. It is love for God. It is obedience."
In her last two sections, Mary paints beautiful images of nature. :) God is so hospitable. He let's us live on His world and has adorned it with such exquisite beauty. How dare we not take care of it. "Everywhere I go I am treated like royalty, which I am not."