Poem: Wild Geese - Mary Oliver

For times when you need healing, and love and a sense of reconnection with nature and what is natural in you, this beautiful poem by Mary Oliver is a balm for your heart. Rest in the words, the spaces and the images as you are reminded of your beauty and your place in the family of things.

Transcript

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert,

Repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair,

Yours,

And I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile,

The world goes on.

Meanwhile,

The sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscapes.

Over the prairies and deep trees,

The mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile,

The wild geese,

High in the clean blue air,

Are heading home again.

Whoever you are,

No matter how lonely,

The world offers itself to your imagination.

Calls to you like the wild geese,

Harsh and exciting.

Over and over,

Announcing your place in the family of things.

Reviews

Your disparities are my disparities, together we hold this space. Let us remember our light in this Earth beautifully filled with mercy and grace.

Beautiful thank you for sharing ❤️

A favourite poem, beautifully read. Thank you John. 🙏

I love the poems and prayers you read, John. Thank you. 🙏❤️🙏❤️

Beautiful autiful

Such a gentle reading with space to let my imagination take flight 🙏🏻

Sparkling imagery, deep with heart, that is Mary Oliver all over

John , you, as well as Mary Oliver’s poem..inspire me day in and day out. Grateful to have found your work, your voice, your spirit.

❤️ I’ve heard you read this beautiful poem and thought I left a review . The soul and feeling you add make it even more beautiful and awesome. Thank you 🙏 lots of love ~ lisa

Just love John's voice! ❤️ The poem really speaks to me. Thank you x

Oh John. Thank you for your voice and your reaching out to the res of us. I can hear you from Vancouver Island on the Pacific coast. Namaste.

Lovely ♾️ ⚘️☄️🕊🌟
Thank you kindly♾️ 🕯
Namaste🙏🏼✨️🖤🍂

One of my favourite poems. Loved it in your reading!

Wonderful recitation of a favorite poem. Thank you!

Wow! Not at all what I expected, but exactly what I needed as the Universe would have it! Thank you! 🙏🏼✨💖

Thank you Mary and John for introducing "the family of thinks". What a splendid image!

Touching and beautiful. Thank you for expressing these gifts.

Love this poem. So happy you did this one John. Thank you 🙏

Beautiful 💫

John, thank you for finding a place for Mary Oliver’s ‘Wild Geese’ on IT. I will listen often. 🧡

Love this writing and your rendition of it. Thank you. I needed it today ~