Okay, so today I decided to dive into “The Whistler” by Mary Oliver. I’ve always been a fan of her work – the way she connects with nature, it’s just…wow. So, I figured, why not try to really experience this poem, not just read it?
First, I found a quiet spot in my backyard. It’s not exactly a forest, but there are some trees, some birds chirping, you know, the works. I printed out the poem – I like having the physical copy in my hands, feels more real than staring at a screen.
I started by just reading it aloud, slowly. Trying to let the words sink in. Mary Oliver talks about hearing the owl, feeling the wind, seeing the darkness… I closed my eyes and tried to do the same. I mean, I live in the suburbs, so no owls, but I could hear the wind rustling the leaves, the distant hum of traffic (less poetic, I know). I focused on the feeling of the air on my skin, the sounds around me.
- Read the poem aloud.
- Find a quiet, somewhat natural space.
- Try to connect with the sensory details Oliver describes.
Then I went back and read it again, this time paying attention to the rhythm, the way the lines flow. I even tried whistling a little, just softly, thinking about the owl’s call in the poem. It felt a little silly at first, but then…kind of peaceful. I guess that’s the point, right? To find that connection, that peace, in the small things.
It’s not like I had some huge, life-changing epiphany. But it was nice. Just taking a few minutes to really be present, to listen to the world around me, the way Mary Oliver does in her poems. I think I’ll do this again with some of her other work. Maybe I’ll even venture out to a real park next time, try to find some actual wildlife!
Totally worth the try, even if it won’t make you a professional whistler.
