Sometimes the world feels like a fearful place. Events can weigh heavily and it’s easy to lose a sense of balance, direction and personal power. What do you do to get centered and protect yourself from negativity? How do you raise your own and others’ vibrational energy fields?
Perhaps you do some of the simple things I do, which include:
- Going outside, breathing fresh air and literally feeling brain fog clear, especially in nature.
- Talking to the mystery that is bigger and greater than we are. I call it God, but call it what you will.
- Being grateful.
- Dwelling on beauty, natural or human made.
- Reading poetry.
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “God’s World”
One of many poems that lifts my spirits is “God’s World,” by Edna St. Vincent Millay. I love her imagery, and I love her passion! She reminds me that beauty is abundant; she helps me see afresh.
I bet “God’s World” gushed out of her unbidden, like a geyser previously hidden from view. There’s a rich lustre and beauty in her sonnet, with a pulse that bursts at the edges of life! I sense Millay opening to the heartbeat of the Universe! Here is her poem, written on a glorious autumn day.
What Can I Say?
Being a retired English teacher, probably a lot, but I won’t. Just that Edna St. Vincent Millay, through her choice of words, their sounds, rhythm and flow, captures nature’s beauty, glory and utter preciousness! Her love for the natural world awakens my own. Her celebration of beauty is beauty in and of itself.
I came across a wonderful piece written by a young man about his feelings regarding “God’s World.” If this poem touches you, you may like to read what he says. Visit: Beauty’s overwhelming glory made manifest in this humble world.
This is the first poem I am sharing on my website. There will be more. I hope you enjoy.
Thank you for your helpful tips, Ramona!
You are so welcome!
I’m quite drawn to poetry and any type of writing for that matter that involves nature. I love how you say that for a retired English teacher you could probably say a lot, and then don’t. Sometimes it’s worth it just to enjoy a poem without picking the dang thing apart!
How true, Jeri, about not analyzing a poem even partially to death! In your last blog post, http://jeriwb.com/literary-criticism-london-by-william-blake-56047/, your reminder that April is National Poetry Month was perfect. In consequence, I’ve decided to share poetry blogs at least twice this month with my Bloggers Helping Bloggers friends on LinkedIn! This particular blog on Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “God’s World” is one I planned to share. You must have been reading my mind to have found it on your own. Thank you so much! 🙂
The poem has a dreamy quality. It lets you get lost in physical beauty, takes you outside even if you’re inside. It also has a quality that maybe lets you take your mind off of whatever problems or anxieties you might be feeling.
It “takes you outside even if you’re inside.” I like that Ken.
Have personally never been attracted to poetry. Had to read it at university but not even Alfred, Lord Tennyson managed to captivate me. Poems are probably a great source of comfort and inspiration for those of you who appreciate the beauty of them.
Yes, Catarina, we are all different!
I love poetry and I love God so I found this most beautiful. I am a dreamer which explains why I am drawn to poetry. I also love and appreciate “the outdoors”. Autumn is a special time of year for me.
Really lovely, Phoenicia, thank you.
Considering I am neither a fan of poetry nor religious one might think I’m the proverbial fish out of water here, but I truly do “get” your point Ramona. When someone asks me what my religion is I always say the same thing, Nature. I have always felt that way which is probably why I was so involved with the Hawaiian culture when I lived in the Islands. Now that I’m in Oregon and literally living in a forest I feel like I’m truly where I should be. When the news irks me, or I hit a snag in what I’m doing, I take a break and spend a little time outside and enjoy the beauty of the fall leaves and the glorious smell of the pine trees. Works every time. 🙂
Marquita, I live in Victoria, a small city on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, with ocean on three “sides,” so to speak. This city has a beautiful yin (feminine) energy, in which Nature abounds. There are both ocean and lake beaches, forests, hills and a mountain or two or three. I live in a neighbourhood near the University of Victoria. Nature is literally on our doorstep with deer (pretty but also a pain) that come right up to our windows. In addition to the natural beauty, there’s a cultivated beauty with the gardens. I don’t even want to imagine living in a place without such a presence of nature. Truly medicine for the soul. This, it sounds like, we have in common. 🙂
Poems have a charm of their own! Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure.
Hi Ramona. Somehow, I have never been a big fan of poetry. But I do like some of the newer poetry that is more free flow and less patterned. I look forward to seeing what else you share with us. Thx!
It’ll be poetry in the form of music.
I do not read a lot of poetry, but do appreciate it from time to time. This post makes me think I need to make an effort to find more poetry to read. I love the quote by Shelley.
I bet there are song lyrics (poetry with melody) you resonate with, Donna. Yes?
Ramona, I love the poem ‘God’s World’. Thou made the world to beautiful this year’ – I may not have the words of Edna St. Vincent Millay, but i do share the feeling. There are times in life when something in nature simply overwhelms you and you have to send up a quick thanks for allowing you to share the beauty. Thanks for this post, very uplifting.
Oh, Lenie, you are most welcome! 🙂
These poems attach to your heart and soul. I think that is the most important literature we have.
That which touches the heart and soul has got to be good! I agree with you, William.
I was not familiar with the poem, God’s World. I will say that I’ve been really craving nature lately. I go outside and walk quite often. And while there is nature, it is a city version of nature. I miss the falling leaves, the stars in the sky and the quiet that comes with being truly in nature. I’m planning a vacation soon so hopefully I’ll get my fix.
How lovely, Erica. I hope you are able to draw into your very center the wonder of nature!