Slow Steps

The Poet Dreams of the Mountain 

by Mary Oliver

Sometimes I grow weary of the days, with all their fits and starts.
I want to climb some old gray mountain, slowly, taking
the rest of my lifetime to do it, resting often, sleeping
under the pines or, above them, on the unclothed rocks.


I want to see how many stars are still in the sky
that we have smothered for years now, a century at least.
I want to look back at everything, forgiving it all,
and peaceful, knowing the last thing there is to know.


All that urgency! Not what the earth is about!
How silent the trees, their poetry being of themselves only.
I want to take slow steps, and think appropriate thoughts.
In ten thousand years, maybe, a piece of the mountain will fall.

Design

“If we see every situation as perfectly designed for our own movement and growth, and we can embrace every situation for where it comes from and where it leads us… neither [disparaging yourself] nor others… recognizing that all unhealthy thoughts, words, and actions are expressions of unmet needs… [you may] remain unfailingly affirmative in relationship to both [yourself] and others.”

Moore, Coaching Psychology Manual