Invitation

Oh do you have time to linger

for just a little while

out of your busy and very important day,

for the gold finches that have gathered

in a field of thistles for a musical battle,

to see who can sing the highest note,

or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,

or the most tender?

Their strong, blunt beaks drink the air

as they strive melodiously

not for your sake and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning

but for sheer delight and gratitude

believe us, they say, it is a serious thing

just to be alive on this fresh morning

in the broken world.

I beg of you,

do not walk by without pausing

to attend to this rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.

It could mean everything.

It could be what Rilke meant,

when he wrote:

You must change your life.

Mary Oliver, “Invitation”

An invitation to you, to pause and read this poem by one of many of my favourite poets.

An invitation to take a moment out of your day, to take a breath and linger.

An invitation to you, to take a moment and visit my website, that has come out of hibernation with a little refresh.

www.pencilmeinstaffs.com