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Glory, Weeds & Words -- Mary Oliver -- Poem 1

Picture
Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; 
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; 
   night after night they reveal knowledge. 
3 They have no speech, they use no words; 
   no sound is heard from them. 
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, 
   their words to the ends of the world. 


In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, 
   like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 
6 It rises at one end of the heavens 
   and makes its circuit to the other; 
   nothing is deprived of its warmth…

 14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart 
   be pleasing in your sight, 
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.



Praying -- A Poem by Mary Oliver

It doesn’t have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try

to make them elaborate, this isn’t

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

 

A Few Questions to Ponder In Prayer

What is “the iris” or “the weeds in a vacant lot” for you?

What is the fruit of paying attention, the few words Oliver speaks of?

What is the silence, the listening?

Who is the “another voice”? Could it be God? What is God saying?

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