Wild Geese and the Soul’s Journey

One of the best ways that I have found to care for the soul is with poetry. The poets speak to the heart and describe the journey we call life. They give language to things we feel yet often cannot find the words to describe. The poets stand in solidarity with us - their words remind us that we are not alone in the journey.

One of my favorite modern American poets is Mary Oliver. Her poem “Wild Geese” has resonated with thousands who have been touched by her words. I share this poem with you and I hope its words resonate with you and that the words take you to a deep soulful space.

I offer the following reflection points to help in pondering the poem and to think about what the poem might be being saying to us about the soul’s journey.

1. - The Soul’s journey is not about moral codes or esoteric spiritual practice.

2. - The Soul’s journey must be grounded in loving the organic and the ordinary.

3. - The Soul’s Journey includes pain and despair.

4. - The Soul’s journey requires us to keep perspective.

5. - The Soul’s journey takes us to the place where we realize everything is connected.

A helpful exercise is to make personal connections with the poem. As you reflect on the poem what thoughts and feelings come to mind from your own journey and your own experiences? Self reflection is essential if your going to be serious about your psychological and spiritual growth. I find that poetry is a wonderful tool to help one increase self awareness and therefore to be more conscious and awake.

Peace to you from a fellow traveler on the path.


Wild Geese
by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting--
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.