We all need something beautiful, gentle and real to cling onto during these difficult times. We all need to be reminded that just because there are those who shout out their hate and lies into the world……there is still so much beauty and love that we can share with one another.
In this post, I pay homage to the American poet and writer Mary Oliver (1935-2019) whose soul and spirit live on in her beautiful and evocative words.
She asks her reader
‘Tell me what it is you plan to do with your one wild and precious life…..’
She reminds us that material stuff clutters our lives.
“I have a notion that if you are going to be spiritually curious, you better not get cluttered up with too many material things……”
We are reminded of the importance of giving time, power and energy to that which we love and feel passionately about.
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.”
“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…….”
In this poem she speaks of her intense love for Mother Nature and the smallest of birds flying among the scarlet flowers……..and that she cannot wait to be the hummingbird……
Thank you Mary Oliver for showing us how to drink from the sweet nectar of life….like the magical hummingbirds.
Janet
Beautiful words dear Janet xx Mary Oliver was a gift to us all…she will be missed
Thank you and yes she will be missed..but aren’t we fortunate to have her with us alway thorough her words….Janet xx
Yes indeed…she’s like a lovely friend to us all xx
Reblogging to my sister site Timeless Wisdoms
Thank you very much for the re-blog. I really appreciate. Janet 🙂
Reblogged this on Hutt's New World Order.
Thank you very much for the re-blog Peter. Sending hummingbird hugs in your direction…janet 🙂
Pingback: Magical hummingbirds for Mary Oliver – Timeless Wisdoms
Thank you very much – Janet 🙂
Thank you dear Janet for this post that gives us pause to reflect on the essential things like lovely ideas, lovely feelings, and lovely watercolors. My crabby mood is ruined and I must think of kindness and warmth toward the world.
David
Good afternoon Dear David….I am so pleased that this post managed to ruin your crabby mood:) Enjoy the rest of your day …..Janet
It’s a glorious tribute, Janet. Hummingbird hugs, my friend. ❤
Thank you so much – hummingbird hugs for you Janet 🙂
This is a beautiful tribute to Mary and her exquisite poetry! And of course, you found a poem with hummingbirds! Well done Janet. And how fun that we both posted tributes to Mary today. It must have been those hummingbirds… 🙂
Hi Dear Brad…..yes it must have been the hummingbirds bringing us together like a magical circle:) I just read your blog and it is also a beautiful tribute to Mary. Thank you. x
My sincere pleasure Janet. I’m glad we could share some love, bonded by hummingbirds and Mary. 🙂
OOOHHH this beautiful art!!! and such a lovely way to share it as a tribute to Mary Oliver!
Thank you very much Jodi for your lovely comment. janet 🙂
Thank you for this beautiful tribute, Janet, and for reminding us how little it takes to live a happy life.
Thank you so much….hope you are enjoying a creative day. Janet 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you. A lovely tribute to one of my favorite poets. Without it, I wouldn’t have known of her passing. I wish I could write like her – and paint like you!
Thank you so much for this lovely comment. janet 🙂
A beautiful poem that’s really appropriate to me right now. Thank you, Janet.
Thank you Emma. So pleased you enjoyed this poem. I love Mary Oliver’s thoughts and writing. Janet
A lovely tribute.
Thank you very much -Janet
Pingback: Magical hummingbirds for Mary Oliver | How my heart speaks
Thank you 🙂
Lovely, vivid artworks.
Thank you very much – Janet 🙂
Reblogged this on Campbells World.
Thank you very much for the re blog Patty. Janet 🙂
You are welcome. Whenever I am notified that someone has liked my work if they have a website I am able to see it. Whenever possible I try and go share some of their work. It’s just one person helping out another. I’m grateful that you enjoy and read my work. It’s just my way of saying thank you.
A wonderful attitude…and agian thank you.
First of all, I believe in helping each other. Second of all, if I want people to share my work, I need to be willing to share their‘s. Enjoy your visit to Campbell’s world, and please do feel free to share anything that you find here. I am dictating hope there are no mistakes.
I definitely will do that…and hope that you enjoy a lovely weekend. Janet
Your birds are a perfect tribute for her words. (K)
Thank you so much – Janet x
Reblogged this on johncoyote and commented:
Wonderful poetry for a great Poet. Shall be missed.
Thank you very much for the re blog – it is so appreciated Janet. 🙂
I loved the artwork and you are welcome Janet.
Artwork and words. Outstanding and thank you.
Goodness me, what a beautiful moving post!!! As for your artwork…..beautiful and moving too. xxxx
Thank you dear Dina…thinking of you and hoping all is well. Do have a good weekend. Janet xxxx
Thank you for sharing. Such a wonderful uplifting post.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Janet 🙂
Very welcome. I had not heard of Mary Oliver and will definitely look for her work now.
Reblogged this on Cleomarkquevan.
Thank you very much for the re-blog. I really appreciate. Janet 🙂
I love Mary Oliver and you,Janet.Thanks for the post,love Katherine,Happy weekend
Thank you so much Katherine…love to you my friend and a very happy weekend. Janet xx
Janet, What a beautiful tribute to Mary Oliver. Your paintings are spectacular! ❤
Thank you so much, Carol. Hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend. Janet xx
This was a wonderful tribute and what a gift that Mary Oliver gave us through her work. Your hummingbird paintings play right into the softness and wise wisdom of her words. It was a sad, but beautiful read this morning. Best wishes for a wonderful new year and I’m so happy to be able to see you again – this was a quiet and powerful post my friend.
Thank you Mary…so pleased you enjoyed.
Mary Oliver’s words remind us of so much and most specifically to take note of everything that Mother Nature presents to us – and to make the most of every precious moment we have. Happy New Year to you. Janet
Your paintings are a beautiful tribute to her words Janet.
Thank you very much Andrea. janet 🙂
Reblogged this on Eliza's Blog on Life.
Thank you very much for the re-blog. Much appreciated. janet
So delightful. I love the choices of color and artwork.
Thank you so much. I always appreciate your comments. Janet 🙂
An inspiring and beautifully coloured post and I am fast becoming a huge fan of Mary Oliver whose poetry I only really became acquainted with recently. Thanks for sharing! I am a Creative Life Coach and have a poetry blog here on WordPress in case you have time to look? http://www.peacockpoetryblog.wordpress.com . Am also on Instagram as #coachingcreatively in case you use this platform? Have a good Wednesday! Sam 🙂
Hi Sam…thank you so much for this lovely comment…and I will definitely look at your blog and follow. I am on FB and Twitter and have as yet ignored instagram….however, I will take a look. In these turbulent times, Mary Oliver brings hope and a sense of excitement about being alive within Mother Nature’s bounty and reminds us of the creative joys that are there for us all to enjoy. Janet 🙂
Thank you so much Janet! Her poetry is truly touching
You are welcome
Her words touched many lives, and there could be no better image tribute than this post! Beautiful!
Thank you very much. She leaves a wonderful legacy. janet
Super artwork and words by a brilliant poet. RIP but her words will live on…
Indeed they will. Thank you very much for the comment. Janet
Beautiful words and art to capture her essence.
Thank you very much – Janet
Beautiful words and paintings…
Thank you so much Bette. wishing for you a lovely and creative day. Janet 🙂
Oh Janet, this was the most delightful and spirited tribute to Mary Oliver, thank you so much. I loved the poem and every quote. I so appreciated the reminder you shared with us of her messages to travel light and to honor our creative nature. Great words: “let the soft animal of your body love what it loves…….” She sure did great things with her “one wild and precious life,” thanks for these beautiful reminders. I love the brightness and fluidity of all of your paintings here, matching so well Mary Oliver’s words. And that first painting strikes me as brilliant…like you.
Mary Oliver has left a wonderful legacy for us all….and yes she did indeed live ‘one wild and precious live’. I am so pleased you enjoyed the accompanying watercolours and particularly the first one:) I hope you enjoy a lovely and creative day. janet.
Lovely post
Thank you very much – Janet
Pingback: JCR Humming Poem For The Late Mary Oliver RIP – cherishthelady
Thank you
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
Thank you so much for the re-blog. Have a beautiful weekend dear friend. Janet 🙂
You are very welcome Janet and thanks!
A beautiful tribute, worthy of its subject.
Thank you very much – Janet
Reblogged this on My Life as an Artist (2).
Hi, Janet. Stunning paintings; and, beautiful words by Mary Oliver. I have selected one image and shared with all the appropriate attribution and created a link to your original post; scheduled for Friday. Best Regards.
Thank you very much Goff. I really appreciate. Janet:)
Pleasure. Great Images. Happy Day.