A Little Mary Oliver
a writing prompt to help you give into joy
Welcome to Writing in Company. Each week I share some words and a writing prompt, meant to be jumping-off points for you to write about what matters. Use the prompts however you like—to journal, to draft thoughts for your own writing project, as meditation or prayer ideas, or for another creative endeavor. If this one doesn’t resonate, take a look back through the archive for one that does. Grab your pen and paper, and let your words loose on the page.
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Just a quick post and prompt today. I’m on vacation in hot Florida with family, gathered for my sister’s wedding. We are eating seafood, walking along the ocean’s edge, and appreciating being together.
We’ve had long years of practice as a family showing up for one another in difficult times. So it is no small thing to be celebrating this week.
Here’s a little Mary Oliver to prompt your own opening to joy, in whatever way it comes to you today.
Don’t Hesitate
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.—Mary Oliver1
a writing prompt
Use Mary’s words to start your writing. Choose a line from the piece to begin, then keep your pen moving. If you suddenly or finally find a word or two of joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it and keep writing.
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Let me know what you think about the prompt, or come back and add some of what you write in the comments. Know someone who might enjoy this prompt or others? Please share!
I love this so much. I wrote about joy this week. My son and I created a bubbler in the space that used to be our foster son’s sandbox and so I’m thinking a lot about what it means to let joy bubble up. https://pocketfulofprose.substack.com/p/making-room-for-joy I was really moved by Andrea Gibson who said joy is a parachute that can save us, and as I was preparing my post I had the words joy is not a crumb in my mind but couldn’t remember who wrote them. I also was looking to see what Mary Oliver said on the subject but couldn’t find what I was looking for and did not remember she wrote the poem I was thinking of, so I thank you. I also am feeling a little down today which always reminds me to give in to joy completely when it comes, to always be on the hunt for it. I wish you a joyous time with your family.
"It is no small thing to be celebrating this week." Love this line- it occurs to me that given the current state of many things in the world, it's no small thing to celebrate at ANY given moment.
May there be joy in your celebrations!