Linda Kulp Trout

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Poetry Friday: I Worried...

I am a worrier. I worry about EVERYTHING! I'm always planning ahead— always trying to control the outcome. Even when life is going well, I find something to worry about. It's not an easy way to live!Last week, I read a Mary Oliver poem that really spoke to me (many of her poems do that, but this one even more so). I hope that someday I'll learn to follow the wisdom she shares at the end of this poem.

I Worried
by Mary Oliver

I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not how shall
I correct it?

Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?

Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
can do it and I am, well,
hopeless.



You can read the rest of the poem and a few other from the collection here.

22 comments:

  1. I can definitely relate to that poem, too. I will print it out and put it on my bulletin board to remind myself that it's not my job to correct everything.

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    1. Good idea, Katya. I need to do that too!

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  2. What a lovely ending. Thanks for sharing this poem.

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  3. I am a worrier too. But I think it is that anxiety that gets me to pay attention to the important things (as well as a lot of junk). The trick is to hear only the important things and slow down enough to consider them without letting anxiety take hold. The way bees worry the flowers and then make honey back at home...

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    1. Andi, very wise advice. I agree that some anxiety can be a good thing. I just overdo it!

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  4. Like Liz, I loved the way this poem ended. I'd rather sing than worry!

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  5. Thank you, Linda! What a great poem to carry around in my mind today, which I will. (And so glad you linked to the complete poem, so we could go from worry to song!)

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  6. I'm a worrier, too. But it can too much of a burden to lay on yourself. Thanks for this poem!

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    1. Tabatha, you're so right. I'm really trying to lighten up a little. I know my constant worrying is hard on my family. I don't like that at all.

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  7. Oh yes, can definitely relate to this one. I am the Queen of Worry. Love the ending to Mary's poem.

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    1. Jama- Gee, I thought I was the Queen of Worry. I have a feeling there are a lot of us in this "royal" family. : )

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  8. Ah, yes. Let's all sing! Together now, one two, three...

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  9. Lots of poets worry, it seems! Maybe it's what makes us care so much? It's a beautiful poem. I do love Mary Oliver. Thank you, Linda.

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    1. Joyce Ray- you're right. I never thought about it that way. Hey, great way to put a positive spin on this! Mary Oliver seems to know just what the rest of us are thinking/feeling/needing, doesn't she?

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  10. Thank you for linking the whole poem and so many other greats as well! I too was glad to see that hopelessness turned to song. Beautiful.

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  11. Thanks for stopping by, Liz!

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  12. Hi Linda, you're right, I loved the last line. I would've added "and danced" myself, but singing has a different trill and tweak to it that's just glorious. Beautiful selection this week. Thanks for sharing this Linda.

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  13. I haven't read this one before! Thanks for sharing it.

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