Today I have decided to be randomly annoyed by the blatant misuse of the Mary Oliver poem “The Summer Day.” You know at least one line of this poem:
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
With your one wild and precious life?”
This one context-free line shows up on inspirational images of mountains and oceans, the implication being that if you aren’t out having adventures, if you aren’t living by the (very stupid) adage “sleep when you’re dead,” you’re wasting your life.
You know what this poem is actually about? A grasshopper. Slowing down. Taking the time to love where you are. Here: Read it.
And then instead of running, running, running, try to find out how it feels “to be idle and blessed.”
Sunflower Editorial Services 