Sometimes even Mary Oliver has to get a little firm.
The Poet With His Face in His Hands
You want to cry aloud for your
mistakes. But to tell the truth the world
doesn’t need any more of that sound.
So if you’re going to do it and can’t
stop yourself, if your pretty mouth can’t
hold it in, at least go by yourself across
the forty fields and the forty dark inclines
of rocks and water to the place where
the falls are flinging out their white sheets
like crazy, and there is a cave behind all that
jubilation and water-fun and you can
stand there, under it, and roar all you
want and nothing will be disturbed, you can
drip with despair all afternoon and still,
on a green branch, its wings just lightly touched
by the passing foil of the water, the thrush,
puffing out its spotted breast, will sing
of the perfect, stone-hard beauty of everything.
* * *
I’m not sure I’ve considered the words “stone-hard” and “beauty” right next to each other before. This poem makes me think of a song in the musical “Six” – the one sung by Jane Seymour about her love for Henry, a love so real and unshakeable she says she has a heart of stone. Check it out… the most beautiful song in the musical, I think, and perhaps one of the most beautiful in musical theater ever. Here’s the version sung by the Broadway cast alternates, which has its own poignance…
You’ve got a good heart
But I know it changes
A restless tide, untamable
You came my way, and I knew a storm could come too
You’d lift me high, or let me fall
But I took your hand, promised I’d withstand
Any blaze you blew my way
‘Cause something inside, it solidified
And I knew I’d always stay
You can build me up, you can tear me down
You can try but I’m unbreakable
You can do your best, but I’ll stand the test
You’ll find that I’m unshakeable
When the fire’s burnt
When the wind has blown
When the water’s dried, you’ll still find stone
My heart of stone
You say we’re perfect
A perfect family
You hold us close, for the world to see
And when I say you’re the only one I’ve ever loved
I mean those words truthfully
But I know
Without my son your love could disappear
I know it isn’t fair, but I don’t care
‘Cause my love, will still be here
You can build me up, you can tear me down
You can try but I’m unbreakable
You can do your best, but I’ll stand the test
You’ll find that I’m unshakeable
When the fire’s burnt
The wind has blown
The water’s dried, you’ll still find stone
My heart of stone
Soon I’ll have to go
I’ll never see him grow
But I hope my son will know
He’ll never be alone
‘Cause like a river runs dry
And leaves its scars behind
I’ll be by your side
‘Cause my love
Is set in stone
* * *
Good way to start this Sunday morning! Lots of us are wanting to scream and yell these days, but for me, the morning bird songs can calm my troubled heart–at least for a while. Peace, my friend, LaMon. (I am working on a writing project of Sunday School lessons, so my WordPress blog has gone wanting. Still write short notes on Substack.)
Please don’t neglect your blog for too long, LaMon! You have a devoted following! Xoxo
What a beautiful poem. And, Lord knows I need to hear birdsong today
And you will, dear Jack! Xoxo
Love that you blog on and I am so glad I am on your list!!! This was beautiful, as another friend said above, plenty of need to scream these days. Thank you for sharing.
Awww I’m glad you’re on the list too, Carolyn! Xoxo
What a clever connection to make between the poem and the song. One let me imagine the scream, the other let me hear it. Both gave my heart a release this morning. Thanks as always.
This makes me so happy, Sara! Thank you for being in touch! Xoxo
Beautiful, Jennifer! Thank you.
Hi Emily! It is so nice to hear from you! I loved reconnecting at Parnassus. Take good care – xoxo
Fun fact: my dearly departed cat Mavis’s name means “songbird” or “thrush”. As you know she did indeed sing about everything. Loudly. 🙂
Yes she did! She made sure her song was heard! Xoxo