Advice to Myself
Leave the dishes.
Let the celery rot in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator
and an earthen scum harden on the kitchen floor.
Leave the black crumbs in the bottom of the toaster.
Throw the cracked bowl out and don't patch the cup.
Don't patch anything. Don't mend. Buy safety pins.
Don't even sew on a button.
Let the wind have its way, then the earth
that invades as dust and then the dead
foaming up in gray rolls underneath the couch.
Talk to them. Tell them they are welcome.
Don't keep all the pieces of the puzzles
or the doll's tiny shoes in pairs, don't worry
who uses whose toothbrush or if anything
matches, at all.
Except one word to another. Or a thought.
Pursue the authentic-decide first
what is authentic,
then go after it with all your heart.
Your heart, that place
you don't even think of cleaning out.
That closet stuffed with savage mementos.
Don't sort the paper clips from screws from saved baby teeth
or worry if we're all eating cereal for dinner
again. Don't answer the telephone, ever,
or weep over anything at all that breaks.
Pink molds will grow within those sealed cartons
in the refrigerator. Accept new forms of life
and talk to the dead
who drift in though the screened windows, who collect
patiently on the tops of food jars and books.
Recycle the mail, don't read it, don't read anything
except what destroys
the insulation between yourself and your experience
or what pulls down or what strikes at or what shatters
this ruse you call necessity
by Louise Erdrich, from Original Fire: Selected and New Poems.
I love this poem. I think I will pin it to the wall and read it over and over again. It reminds me to spend my energy on getting healthy and staying healthy; on pulling River through the mystifying clouds of his autism; on nurturing Bronwyn's extraordinary spirit; on appreciating love, joy and laughter; on relishing nature; on being creative. It is amazing how often I needed to be reminded of what matters and what does not.
5 comments:
Your poem reminds me of a time when I was fretting over this & that, when someone asked "how important is it? If its not important why let it rent space in your head? Let it go"- I have had cause to think about this on many occasions since. This has helped me to keep things in perspective. I think that,s the message conveyed in the poem.Reminding myself of what is or isn't important in life, has led me to be more patient, tolerant and understanding of others,and to keep my expectations realistic. In learning to "let go" i became aware of all the beauty of life and what I value most in life, my family,whom I love dearly, the soft touch of a baby's skin, a child's smile, and tears too,the peace and beauty of a sleeping child, the love of a partner, the love and support freely given by friends, the beauty of nature and the changing seasons.Spring conveys the message of new beginnings, and with it, hope.I could say so much more.remember "HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?".xxx
Thanks for your comment. I'm glad you like the poem. So let the cobwebs gather in the corners, the dishes pile up in the sink, and let interesting experiments grow out of what's lurking at the back of the fridge :) xx
Your choice of poem which I have now read several times, has made me pause and reflect.The fridge will get cleaned and the dusting done, sometime, but its not that important in the scheme of things. In the past, I regret to say, I have often been angry and frustrated, particularly at my partner, when he has (in my perception), failed to meet my expectations, so much so, that I often overlooked the many kind and loving things he did do for me. To the very kind person who first stopped me in my tracks and asked "how imortant is it", I owe them a debt of gratitude.I no longer let things clutter up my thinking, and in learning to "let go", came the wonderful and marvellous gift of deep appreciation of all the love and beauty, and the many loving thoughtful things said to me, and done for me, by both my family and friends. The cleaning and dusting is insignificant by comparison. xxx
I loved the photos of Bronwyn with the starfish, it perfectly captures her wonderment at the starfish. What a beautiful moment to capture and share.It's precious times like that, that stay with you in your memories, all through your life.xxxx
I love this poem - definitely one to read every day (and try to get into my thick skull). I need to post it on the fridge.....the mirror....the shower...the closet...the coffee-maker....the hairdryer...my coat....my shoes...the bus...my computer monitor...my desk..... You get the picture....
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