"Mysteries, Yes"
Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous
to be understood.
How grass can be nourishing in the
mouths of lambs.
How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising.
How two hands touch and the bonds will
never be broken.
How people come, from delight or the
scars of damage,
to the comfort of a poem.
Let me keep my distance, always, from those
who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
~ Mary Oliver, from Evidence
White baneberry (Actaea pachypoda)?
ReplyDeleteAnd the poem is wonderful, except I couldn't get past "How rivers and stones are forever
in allegiance with gravity
while we ourselves dream of rising"
when in my world the stones and rivers float around through the cosmos as freely as I imagine myself doing. Different perspectives between the author and I?
Perhaps, or perhaps not.... :)
DeleteWe really do roam around in same pages, Teresa. Before coming in here to check messages, I was looking for a poem about hawks I seemed to remember by Mary Oliver (found it). I find it is good to be in your company, if only through blogging, with you. I truly appreciated the poem, especially that last line:
ReplyDeleteLet me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads.
When I read those lines, I thought of you. Really.
DeleteI think it would be wise to avoid eating the white berries, pretty as they may be!
ReplyDeleteNot to worry. I had no intention of eating them, just taking their picture.
DeleteLove the poem. What do you reckon the berries are?
ReplyDeleteWild Bill says White baneberry and that's his field, so to speak. I love the sheen on them.
DeleteThanks to Wild Bill. A bing search for baneberry gave me a a picture such as yours and just oodles of links.
ReplyDeleteI really like the poem; I may just keep it on file if that's okay by you.
If the weather had cooperated, I could have picked multiple gallons, even sold many. The canes gave me 1(that's ONE)quart total. There is next summer though. Lessons in Rain Dance beforehand are called for. Haha
It is a good one to file.
DeleteThe neighbors had rows and rows and rows. My son's going to make wine with them. He makes fabulous wine, so I will enjoy the fruits of both of our labors.
Let me know when the Lessons in Rain Dance begin... I'll see what I can do to join in. :)
I should probably have clarified that Sissy and I are referring to the raspberries....
DeleteBaneberry is poisonous, isn't it? I love the Oliver poem, and the picture. Let me know what you find out! I think a white berry looks just a teeny bit weird. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for the link to the organic pest spray! Awesome! :-)
That white color sure took me by surprise. I immediately went into Must Photograph mode.
DeleteAre you referring to the Liquid Fence? Or is another me leaving links I don't know about. :)
Hmmm...I think it's poisonous, but a quick google should resolve that issue. I really like that photo. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteNot much to resolve because I never intended to eat them. Pictures will do just fine. :) Thank ye.
DeleteOh that last part of the poem,
ReplyDelete"Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment,
and bow their heads."
Thank you for that. Words to savor.
I did some savoring of that thought myself before and since posting. She's mystical in the best sense of that word.
DeleteDear Teresa, I so like who Mary Oliver wants to keep company with! A few weeks ago you shared her poem "Thirst" with us. I recently purchased the book from Amazon. I read a poem a night and let myself slip into her silence and fortitude. Peace.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. I'm always grateful to spend time in the presence of her company, through her poems. And in yours, as well.
DeleteI will soon be spending a week at our rented cabin, taking in some of the wonders of nature. I will make that last line my motto for the week, if not for ever.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a very good way to move through life, doesn't it?
DeleteA fun find with a new berry. The Mary poem was a nice way to end my day.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to turn in with thoughts such as these, isn't it?
DeleteI'm very cautious about wild berries too, especially if there is evidence that the wildlife hasn't been harvesting them, and even then...
ReplyDeleteYes, same with mushrooms. I believe there's a sulphur shelf along the road, but without Knowing, I can't eat it. I'll just admire it instead.
DeleteNever saw baneberry before, such a lovely poem to delight in.
ReplyDeleteIt has a gentleness to it that is so appealing, I find. Glad you like it, too.
DeleteI've never seen this berry before, really shiny and strange shape Teresa, love the poetry but Mary Oliver is superlative!!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you have a great weekend my friend,
Jane
I loved its shininess, too. It was such a nice surprise along the side of the road. I hope you're having a good weekend, too, Jane!
DeleteI had heard of baneberry, but not identified it here. Thanks! I love anything by Mary Oliver, so enjoyed the poem as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's been very gratifying to find so many Mary Oliver fans out here in Bloggerville. I think we're on the right path! :)
DeleteWith a name like Baneberry, I don't even think you need to look it up to see if it's poisonous. Otherwise they'd have called it Yummyberry.
ReplyDeleteYep, it's name was a dead giveaway.
DeleteTeresa. That poem is down right beautiful. Mary Oliver now has one more fan thanks to you. I have never seen a baneberry. I will have to keep an eye out for them. I also agree with your caution about wild mushrooms. Personally I only eat the wild morel mushrooms.
ReplyDeleteHello Steven, I've eaten probably four varieties, mostly those that go by the name honeycap, but I'm never positive so haven't picked for awhile. I did find what looked to be a morel under a tree this spring in back of the house. I wasn't sure quite sure enough....
DeleteI'm glad you're now a Mary Oliver fan, too. :) Always good to hear from you.
Anything with "bane" in the title commands my respect.
ReplyDeleteI love/agree with that poem. I am, generally speaking, amused by life and seek it in others. To laugh, to marvel, to be in awe of the world around you, this is what I want in my life...
Pearl
Pearl, Your ability to find amusement in life is inspiring. I love your posts.
DeleteHere in southeast Mn. I have both the white and the red varieties in my wildflowers gardens. They always look so shiny almost as if painted with fingernail polish. Apparitions in the woods. Yes. Neighbors has been seeing bears, wolves and cougars here of late... very unusual... :)
ReplyDeleteThere were red berries nearby, also, but the photos didn't work out well.:) Both sure are pretty against all that green.
DeleteI have a lot of bear scat under my apple trees again this year, also evidence of fox and coyotes in the meadow. They get to yipping every few days as they pass through. a cougar sighting was reported not too far away, something I haven't seen for several years - a real cougar, not the 45 year old kind that spends a lot of time at the gym and hair salon.:)
It's nice to hear from you...been awhile.
ps Teresa. I did some research on the baneberry. They are indeed poisonous. Yet I discovered Native American Indians used them extensively as medical remedies. I found that quite interesting. They also go by the name "Doll's Eyes" as they resemble the "eyes" used in the making of dolls. Who Knew? Sooooooooo if they are poisonous, what purpose do they serve in nature? Ya know what? Maybe they don't need a purpose? Or maybe some day they will provide a cure for a disease? I prefer to think positively. Just like you do.
ReplyDeleteCool. Thanks so much for doing a bit of research. I like the idea that Native Americans used them medicinally. Maybe they provide something essential in other ways that we can't quite imagine. And maybe they are just ghosts in the woods. :) Thinking positively makes all the difference. Nice to know you prefer it, too. I kinda thought so... :)
Delete