The Journey

by purplesofa 3 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  purplesofa

  This poem is about what we face when we know it is time for a change and for us to go on a journey.

  There will be inner and outer voices that want to restrain us from that kind of change,

  but once we know that the change must happen and the journey must be undertaken,

  we find our own voice and place in the world.

  Thanks heaps and luv you all,

  purps

  The Journey

  One day you finally knew
  what you had to do, and began,
  though the voices around you
  kept shouting
  their bad advice--
  though the whole house
  began to tremble
  and you felt the old tug
  at your ankles.
  "Mend my life!"
  each voice cried.
  But you didn't stop.
  You knew what you had to do,
  though the wind pried
  with its stiff fingers
  at the very foundations,
  though their melancholy
  was terrible.
  It was already late
  enough, and a wild night,
  and the road full of fallen
  branches and stones.
  But little by little,
  as you left their voices behind,
  the stars began to burn
  through the sheets of clouds,
  and there was a new voice
  which you slowly
  recognized as your own,
  that kept you company
  as you strode deeper and deeper
  into the world,
  determined to do
  the only thing you could do--
  determined to save
  the only life you could save.

  Mary Oliver
• 

  Gregor

  I like the poem

  As my Grandfather told me when he was about 90..."It takes guts to get old, son"

  and staying with the theme, "...no guts, no glory.."
• 

  Alpaca

  Thanks, Purps.

  The mental dance of the poet and reader always fascinates me. The same words can paint so many different tableaus - among different readers and even the same reader at different times in their lives.

  Definitely a good one for Dubs.
• 

  compound complex

  Hi Purps:

  Years ago the Society commented in a publication that what one does today on behalf of another [i.e., for a worldly person by means of the preaching work] could result in saving their life. In addition to this, it was said elsewhere that we should always be mentally disposed and prepared to preach. Accordingly, I was in perpetual preach-mode for fear I would miss an opportunity to save a life.

  That is why the words below - part of my current, more reasoned thinking - ring true:

  [...] as you strode deeper and deeper
  into the world,
  determined to do
  the only thing you could do--
  determined to save
  the only life you could save.

  Thanks!

  CoCo