Monday, August 26, 2013

ABC Wednesday
August 28th, 2013

The letter is G  for GRASSHOPPER



(The Grasshopper Poem)
The Summer Day
 
Mary Oliver
 
Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean -
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down -
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down to the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?
 
For more interpretations of the letter G hop on over to ABC Wednesday, here,
with thanks to Denise and Roger and all their hoppy helpers.








14 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

Another poem which I love Hildred.

Reader Wil said...

Such a lovely poem of a true nature lover.
Wil, ABCW Team

photowannabe said...

Nice poem and a interesting photo.
Love that you gave tribute to all the "hoppy" helpers.

Carver said...

Great shot and I love the poem. Carver, ABC Wed. Team

Roger Owen Green said...

GLAD I hopped over to your page!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Jama said...

Beautiful poem!

Hazel said...

Lovely words for G. I used to chase grasshoppers as a kid. Fun times.

Hazel

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful Mary Oliver! She makes me so happy. Thank you for sharing.

Beverley Baird said...

Great choice for G - great shot. Lovely poem by Mary Oliver - love her poetry.

Nicola Finch said...

Have so enjoyed your last few blog posts!! You never cease to inspire and delight us up here on the meadow.
Big love. Nick

Nicola Finch said...

Have so enjoyed your last few blog posts!! You never cease to inspire and delight us up here on the meadow.
Big love. Nick

Gerald (SK14) said...

lovely shot of the grasshopper

uberrhund said...

Lovely and evocative poetry for the letter G, thanks for sharing, it was like reading a warm Summer day very well spent.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

very lovely poem. I plan to make the best of my one life.