MYSTERIES, YES Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood. How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs. How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity while we ourselves dream of rising. How two hands touch and the bonds will never be broken. How people come, from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem. Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers. Let me keep company always with those who say "Look!" and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.
This poignant excerpt captures the essence of human wonder and humility in the face of the world’s enduring mysteries. It beautifully balances a reverence for nature—with its inexplicable nourishment of grass for lambs, and the steadfast forces like gravity—with a reflection on human aspiration and connection. The image of two hands touching and forging unbreakable bonds speaks to the deep human need for connection, empathy, and trust, while the reference to poetry as a refuge from both joy and hurt highlights art's power to soothe and provide meaning amid life’s complexities. Most strikingly, the quote challenges the arrogance of those who claim to have definitive answers, instead proposing a stance of curiosity, awe, and openness toward the unknown. It invites us to embrace wonder, to celebrate the mysteries that sustain life, and to approach existence with both laughter and reverence. The message resonates deeply as it reminds us that humility and wonder are not signs of weakness but of an enlightened spirit, thriving not in certainty, but in the joy of perpetual discovery. This piece by Mary Oliver calls upon us to honor the complex, often inexplicable nature of our world and ourselves with both a discerning eye and an open heart.
