This question frequently visits the Matron:
"What will you do with your one wild and precious life?"
This line from a Mary Oliver poem frequently compels the Matron to put away the Bon Ami and sponge and take a walk, read a book or write those 350 words of fiction a day.
Last week we marked the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's assassination, and she's been thinking about how one man chose to spend his life --knowing full well the constant threat to that life's continued existence.
Three days after the assassination, Nina Simone wasn't sure she could go through with a scheduled Long Island concert. But she did, singing a 13 minute long tribute to Martin that her brother wrote.
The Matron's technological drool has become a small leech-infested lake (with trouts!), so instead of downloading the YouTube video, she must direct you to five recorded minutes of that song.
If you're at work, she recommends closing the door. There will be weeping.
The NPR story that tells the larger tale, here.
One wild and precious life. I hope we're each alive in ours, full throttle.
14 comments:
I had forgotten that line, and how much I loved it. Thank you for reminding me.
Stepping away from the computer now...
Mary Oliver is one of my favorites. Thanks for the link to the song.
Never heard of Nina Simone until about 5 minutes ago. Thanks. Beautiful singing, beautiful song.
Lovely post Matron, thank you.
Thanks for the inspiration.
love that line, and mary oliver too. what will i do with my one wild and precious life... thank you for stirring that thought into my brain once again.
How can Mary Oliver be so good? Her words were on our wedding invitations and on the art we were married in front of.
I can't listen to Nina right now--tarnation--because my husband sleeps 8 inches away. But I'll viist it anon!
It's so hard to lose sight of the fact that we do just have this one life - I am always just getting on with day to day stuff, dreaming of future things or the past. It is good once in a while to try to refocus on the fact that there is just this one life.
Right I'm going to have a day at full throttle.
Actually I am much better lately at living for the moment and doing what I want to do and not waiting for life to start.
I will save the link the link for a time when I will have a new ability
Thank you
I was amazed to hear that MLK was only 39 when he was killed. 39! So very young.
You were right, there was weeping. Thanks for that.
I've never heard that before. And yes, I am weeping. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
In 1966 when I was a freshman at the Universtiy of Minnesota, I went with the MSA Human Relations Commission to Chicago where we heard Martin Luther King, Jr. speak at an urban church. We shook his hand. I shook Martin Luther King's hand. It was an amazing experience! I still feel shock when I think of his killing, but I look at Barack Obama and know that MLK did not die in vain. However, the following is another thoughtful way of looking at MLK's life
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/81389/
Exploring for N . Experience [URL=http://www.nfoutletonline.net/#1172]the north face outlet[/URL] on sale? Several folks throughout the globe are usually exploring for these jackets. People glimpse for great bargains as well as rates for this merchandise this is why I wrote this post to inform people about getting essentially very good offers.[URL=http://www.nfoutletonline.net/#1062]north face outlet online[/URL] anyone picture being outside more than a winter months day with no jumper on? You might be just standing up exterior and you have no place to go.
Post a Comment