Looking together in the same direction.

Looking together in the same direction.
Sea otters hold hands while they sleep so they don't drift apart.

by my favorite poet, Mary Oliver

"Instructions for living a life.

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it."

Mary Oliver


Thursday, July 21, 2016

These are the days that must happen to you

     I saw the quote, "These are the days that must happen to you," the other day.  It struck a chord with me and I had to look up its source.  It is from "Song of the Open Road" by Walt Whitman.

Listen! I will be honest with you.
I do not offer the old smooth prizes, but offer rough new prizes.
These are the days that must happen to you:
You shall not heap up what is called riches,
You shall scatter with lavish hand all that you earn or achieve.
However sweet the laid-up stores,
However convenient the dwellings,
You shall not remain there.
However sheltered the port,
And however calm the waters,
You shall not anchor there.
However welcome the hospitality that welcomes you
You are permitted to receive it but a little while.
Afoot and lighthearted, take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before you,
The long brown path before you, leading wherever
you choose.
Say only to one another:
Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love, more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law:
Will you give me yourself?
Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?
— Walt Whitman


     Personally, I am taking a break from running much this week and avoiding that open road.  I  had walked my dog in the open space park nearby and got multiple deerfly bites which have become infected, so I am taking it easy and trying to heal the many blisters and areas of cellulitis before they spread. These are the days that must happen to me, requiring me to stay indoors and regain that health.

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