The Summer Day

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 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?

~ Mary Oliver

This is one of my favorite poems. My husband first shared it with me years ago and I return to it often to remind myself to live with purpose (and often with abandon - it's really important to laugh, be idle and wander). Setting new goals and reaching them, making the most of my time and making the days matter, appreciating the people in my life, helping to protect and nurture this beautiful planet, and letting go of petty concerns - this poem begs me to do all of these. Does it resonate with you? If you have a poem or quote that pushes you to be a better person and live a meaningful life, please share it, will you? 

Image: Silvana Ferreira