Part 3
So, did you re-read “At Blackwater Pond”? Did you take your own path through the poem and allow it to speak only to you? I shared some thoughts about tranquility in the last post and I now want to consider the “wonderment” this poem and how I let that perspective fill my thoughts with a poem like this one.
Wonder is a thread that runs, or flows, through the fabric of “At Blackwater Pond.” Oliver’s poetic language invites us to explore the world with a childlike curiosity, to marvel at the miracles of nature, and to see the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary. The poem reminds me that life’s magic lies not only in grand adventures but also in the quiet contemplation of a still pond or the rustling of leaves in the breeze. Maybe it’s that “childlike curiosity” that I sometimes suppress and thus, miss the opportunity to experience that “wonderment” that is there for me to reach out to.
Nestled within the verses of this poem I also find a celebration of life’s simplicity. Oliver gently reminds us of the value in finding joy and contentment in the small wonders that surround us daily. In a world filled with constant hustle, the poem acts as a reminder to slow down, to appreciate the beauty of the present moment, and to be grateful for life’s humble gifts.
Maybe the takeaway today is for me to 1) seek the childlike curiosity I have buried under my years, and 2) focus on those small wonders that are blurred by the pace of my living. Maybe, just maybe, then I will experience the tranquility and wonderment that I long for, and in so doing, will enrich my soul.