When I am Among the Trees
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.”
Notes
Oliver captures the total dissolution of human anxiety the moment we step into the quiet, unburdened presence of the woods. The trees do not demand achievement or performance; instead, they offer a gentle, green reminder that our only true work is to be glad, light, and open to the passing hour. It is a beautiful anchor for July, showing that when we strip away the heavy, self-made fictions of the ego, we finally learn to simply stand still, breathe, and grow unburdened toward the light. . #poetry #nature #romantic #maryoliver #self