To rise,
I must have a field to rise from.
To deepen,
I must have a bedrock from which to descend.
~ Mary Oliver, Long Life: Essays and Other Writings
Notes:
- Image Source: goatboy.
- Prior “Lightly child, lightly” Posts? Connect here.
- Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”

Everything she writes I say, “That is the truth” she has gained great insight and wisdom over the years. 🙂
She sweeps me away to a higher and lighter place with her writing. I’m with you Karen.
Yes exactly!
yes. simple truth.
I carry a book of her poems with me all the time…balm for the heart, hope for the soul…and lightly, yes.
She is, balm for the heart, hope for the soul. Beautifully stated Mimi.
Her words always delight me–they make me pause and reflect, for which I am grateful. Wouldn’t it be fun to sit and chat with her? I have the feeling that, like Kooser, she perceives things that many of us simply fly by.
Yes. I would be wonderful to sit with Oliver and Kooser. What an afternoon that would be.
I love how she choose rise and then counters it with deepen … rather than fallen. She makes me wake up from things I take for granted. True wisdom 🙂
Yes, and she does it in such a delicate and elegant way….Nicely stated Val.
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Awesome …. lightly indeed!!!
Launchpad to life…foundational base to return to, for rest, reflection, and like fermenting yeast, growth …with the correct mixture of ingredients transforming to a unique completion… float on toward the endless, possibilities.
You’ve swept me away (again) ” float on toward the endless possibilities”