The Sunday Paws: #6

Or Mary Oliver's Invitation

For this installment of The Sunday Paws, I decided to share a poem by Mary Oliver … and a photo of Ozni and Wilbur. No need to worry; the cats are still here. They are closer to each other than ever, too. See below.

The poem’s title is Invitation. Enjoy.

Oh do you have time
   to linger
      for just a little while
         out of your busy

and very important day
   for the goldfinches
      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 this 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.

Ozni and Wilbur and their new favorite way to spend time together

So, as we close another weekend, you are invited to pause—for yourself, your friends and family, and all beings, especially the goldfinches, Ozni, and Wilbur.

For some additional reading, consider these recent offerings:

Resistance

Illumination and Serenity

What Is Karma?