"Wild Geese", By Mary Oliver

Have you ever heard the voice of Pulitzer Prize-winner Mary Oliver as you strolled along the sea shore, or stopped to pause and listen to the voices within during a hike in the forest? Mary Oliver liberates us from our own self-imposed isolation and loneliness. To simply breathe is the greatest gift we have. With each breath, we slowly regain our strength and resolve. Breathe with me through this track as we make our way back to nature. Nature unites us all - we are the Wild Geese.

(New vocal reading - fall of 2024 as the geese head home.)

Transcript

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 the 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.

Wild Geese by Mary Oliver

Reviews

A very moving and yet simple reminder of the connection to each other, we have. And the teacher’s voice and expression was like a friend sitting next to me and smiling.

I so enjoyed your reading of this beautiful poem! 🌿

Ahhhhhhh so beautifully spoken and gratefully received. Namaste

Mary Oliver surely smiles when she hears your recording. ❤️

Beautifully spoken, fabulous sound effects, so fitting for this season of geese flying away for European winter...🙏🏽✨️☁️☁️🪿🪿🪿💖

My vision quickly refocused and reminded me of the nature and nuture that I tend to forget. Thank you!

From my heart to all of you whom have taken the time to listen. I did my best,.to give you my best in this and all my recordings. I AM so very grateful for you all. 🙏.