The Journey

Immerse yourself in the transformative verses of Mary Oliver's "The Journey," where the protagonist, amidst the clamor of conflicting advice, embarks on a resolute path of self-discovery, defying external pressures to mend lives, and instead, saving the one life they can.

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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 voice 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 that you could save.

— By Mary Oliver

Contemplation

Reflecting on Oliver's profound words, ask yourself: In the face of external pressures and conflicting advice, what is the unique journey that calls you, and how might you navigate through the fallen branches and stones to save the life that only you can save?