April is National Poetry Month
Dear Friends,
April is National Poetry Month.
I was inspired by another yoga teacher and good friend to find a poem to share.
I chose Mary Oliver’s Morning Poem because, well, who doesn’t love Mary Oliver, and because her words resonate. We are in a time where it seems as though we wake up each day to forces that seem to be daring us to be happy. And yet, the beauty of the earth is all around us and its’ gifts are lavishly offered, without any expectation of return. Perhaps the beast within us did choose this place and time on earth because it was exactly what it needed now in order to grow in courage and dare to be happy.
Mary Oliver: Morning Poem
Every morning
the world
is created.
Under the orange
sticks of the sun
the heaped
ashes of the night
turn into leaves again
and fasten themselves to the high branches–
and the ponds appear
like black cloth
on which are painted islands
of summer lilies.
If it is your nature
to be happy
you will swim away along the soft trails
for hours, your imagination
alighting everywhere.
And if your spirit
carries within it
the thorn
that is heavier than lead–
if it’s all you can do
to keep on trudging–
there is still
somewhere deep within you
a beast shouting that the earth
is exactly what it wanted–
each pond with its blazing lilies
is a prayer heard and answered
lavishly,
every morning,
whether or not
you have ever dared to be happy,
whether or not
you have ever dared to pray.
CLASS AND RETREAT OFFERINGS
Monday Gentle and Wednesday Mixed level Zoom classes will continue through May 14. 9:30-10:45 PST Class information is HERE or email me to be added to the zoom class list to receive the links. NO CLASS APRIL 21 and 23.
Mar de Jade Yoga Retreat in Mexico, January 31-February 7, 2026 has some availability. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO.
Love and namaste,
Lynne
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Erse