BLISSFUL-BOHEMIAN

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Go Easy

When I Am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver


When I am among the trees,


especially the willows and the honey locust,


equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,


they give off such hints of gladness.


I would almost say that they save me, and daily.




I am so distant from the hope of myself,


in which I have goodness, and discernment,


and never hurry through the world


but walk slowly, and bow often.



Around me the trees stir in their leaves


and call out, "Stay awhile."


The light flows from their branches.




And they call again, "It's simple," they say,


"and you too have come


into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled


with light, and to shine."

I have been feeling overworked, hot,  and depressed over the lack of art sales. Wanting so much to be able to quit work and paint, my poor body can't do this work too much longer. Least you think I should be patient, I have been painting since I was 18 (really 8), and I think 39 years is enough patience. I have not been feeling easy or shiny.
However, I did not call you here to whine or tell you my problems, I called you here because when I read this poem this morning it helped. It lifed my spirits and I thought it might do the same for you :-). XOXO

16 comments:

Laura said...

May your spirits continue to be lifted, even on the difficult days, by words, and trees and light and life.

angela recada said...

I'm so sorry you've been feeling down, Sweetie. Laura has already said so beautifully what I would like to say to you. . .

Please be gentle with yourself.
Hugs to you and your furbabies,
xoxoxo

Judy Shreve said...

I understand that feeling. I think this incredible heat just makes us all more irritable.

Your work is amazing- and remember you paint because it is who you are. It's these horrible economic times that makes it so difficult - not your work.

Yes, please be gentle with yourself. Lots of hugs and love coming your way.

xxoo

Annie said...

Laura, Thank you sweetie.xoxo

Angela, What a darling you are. thank you.xoxo

Judy, I know it is the heat and a few bad days, and you are right I paint because it is my passion even if it never sells. Thank you for your sweet words. xoxo

ArtPropelled said...

Judy said it all. Heat and economics make it difficult. Please don't lose hope. You have such a wonderful spirit which you carry through to your art. Poetry lifts my spirits too. ( I have chosen yet another Mary Oliver poem for my next post)

kj said...

i love and appreciate and understand your honesty and i thank you for it and this poem. all these tries mary oliver speaks of are in the provincelands and i always feel proud when i read what she has written about a space and place i know.

weariness is no fun. you are smart and personable and talented. if you art must be art and not money support, i hope you find something easy on your body.

never give up, annie. i know you won't.

love
kj

~Babs said...

A beautiful poem Annie, hers always are, aren't they?

I'm Knowing you won't give up,,,
and I'm knowing you will paint.
Maybe it will only take one more year,,,,,,who knows when enough is enough?
But you already ARE shiny!!!

Houseelf said...

What a beautiful poem. It conjures up the mossy humid atmosphere of a wood with the sunlight sparkling through the leaves turnign them into emerald and peridot jewels.

Your work is beautiful and innovative. You challenge yourself on this journey. I am delighted to accompany you a little via your blog.

Annie said...

Robyn, Thank you, Mary is my favorite poet!xoxo

Kj, Weariness happens :-). There is no job that pays better than this for a person such as me who choose art over business classes. As a woman alone I can't take a pay cut which is what I would do if I worked in a gallery (the only other job I am fit for), so you see I must make it as an artist, which puts too much pressure on it. A vicious circle I am afraid. However, I will buck up, I always do :-). xoxo

Babs, Thank you sweetie for your kind words. xoxo

Melanie, You are the best! Thank you for your support. I hope you will love the vase!xoxo

LeeAnn at Mrs Black's said...

Beautiful poem. Many are those who leave behind the most who never get the recognition they deserve in their life. I wish for you more good spirits and prosperity. x

Lubna said...

Yes it did. I just wish I was near some trees. I miss nature. You take care and chin up. Hugs

Jos said...

Ah Annie, weariness can be tiresome that's for sure. And trying to make your talent into your business is no easy thing as you've found. I see it a lot in the artistic field and I guess that is where the euphamism "a struggling artist" has come from because it is just inherently difficult to value what you do unless others place a monetary value on it too. I wish it were not so.

Warmest hugs to you and I hope you are going to paint this weekend regardless. As you know, I think your work is just exceptional. xoxoxox Jos

Jos said...

... and I meant to say something else ... actually two things. One I love you. The other is, isn't Mary Oliver amazing at putting feelings into words and evoking a sense of space in your head? I think so. xoxoxox

Annie said...

Cat, Thank you.xoxo

Lubna, It would be hard without trees, but I think all nature has the power to lift us up.xoxo

Jos, I love you too, thank you for your always kind and dear words, and yes I will be painting, regardless, always :-).xoxo

becky said...

Oh Annie, I can relate. I know what it is to do hard physical labor, too. My back & hip wake me up at night. I have been thinking more & more of quitting my job.... but like you, I currently have no other means of supporting myself. Keep entering those shows. Have you thought of entering into shows other than in Taos? Somehow, getting your work to a wider audience? Big hugs to you Annie. Yes thank goodness for the trees... I was just out hugging them yesterday :)
they always make me feel better.

Annie said...

:-). Yes, the trees and all of nature, they do the trick.
xoxo