Invitation

I came across this poem this morning. It seemed to fit well with my post from Tuesday. And I really like Mary Oliver. 

Invitation

by Mary Oliver

Oh do you have time

        to linger

                for just a little while

                        out of your busy

and very important day

        for the goldfinches

                that have gathered

                        in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,

        to see who can sing

                the highest note,

or the most expressive of mirth,

        or the most tender?

                Their strong, blunt beaks

                        drink the air

as they strive

        melodiously

                not for your sake

                        and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning

        but for sheer delight and gratitude --

                believe us, they say,

                        it is a very serious thing

just to be alive

        on this fresh morning

                in the broken world.

                        I beg you,

do not walk by

        without pausing

                to attend to this

                        rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.

It could mean everything.

It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:

You must change your life.