Given the season, it would make sense for me to post about an inspirational book that has particular meaning for me this time of year. But I’m going to go in a slightly different direction.
Before I left my health promotion job with the BC Public Service, I wrote a blog that spoke to the different experiences people can have during the holiday season. Losses, loneliness, and other less-than-ideal circumstances can make this a difficult time of year for some (perhaps many). I wasn’t trying to be downer, only offer a reminder that all is not merry and bright for everyone. That awareness can potentially open the door to a thoughtful connection with someone who needs it the most.
Even in ideal circumstances, the holidays can be stressful for various reasons, including too much on our plates, conflict, or unrealistic expectations in various forms. So, I also advocated for taking care of ourselves, which looks different for each of us. It could involve just taking a short walk if you don’t have much time, enjoying a usually “forbidden” treat (in moderation), escaping into a new book, or commemorating someone special you’ve lost.
As I wrapped up the blog, I also shared the last five lines of a favourite Mary Oliver poem: Wild Geese, saying that it never failed to lift me up when I was feeling blue or disconnected, because it reminded me that there is always beauty, hope, and a broader world out there (of which we are all a part).
It surprised me to be sharing a poem, as it was not a genre of writing that ever resonated with me. My father and sister were/are poetry appreciators and writers, but I never really got the point of it.
Then a meditation teacher of mine integrated poetry into our classes and introduced us to the late Mary Oliver’s writing. Her poetry seemed different somehow, or perhaps I’d just had a very narrow conception of what poetry could be.
Through her work, Oliver communicates a reverence for the beauty and wisdom of the natural world; tackles tough topics like death and loss, and speaks plainly about living consciously (“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”). I was (and am) also drawn to the intimate and almost conversational tone of her work, underpinned by gentle rhythms, which always seem to catch my ear—whether poetry or prose. Admittedly, I know nothing about the techniques or structure of poetry; I only know what I like (which is how I consume visual art as well).
If you’re interested in sampling some of Mary Oliver’s poems, there are websites available, as well as compilations like “New and Selected Poems: Volume One.” They are a great place to start.
Now that I’ve dipped my toe into the poetry pond, I am more open to exploring other authors, albeit in baby steps. Recently a friend and I were talking about a mutual appreciation for the poem The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry. That felt like progress to me.
Wishing you a healthy and peaceful holiday season, however that looks to you.
