GOOD-BYE AND THANK YOU, MARY OLIVER

A FRIEND posted this poem, which I had not seen. A message for our worrisome times:

“I Worried" by Mary Oliver

I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not how shall
I correct it?

Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?

Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
can do it and I am, well,
hopeless.

Is my eyesight fading, or am I just imagining it,
am I going to get rheumatism,
lockjaw, dementia?

Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
And gave it up. And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.”
                              -- From "Swan" (2012. Her 20th book)


And now she needs to worry no more. But we shall miss her songs...