Mary Oliver Poem #6: Don't Hesitate

Mary Oliver’s poem “Don’t Hesitate” caught my eye because I believe it has a valuable lesson many people often forget. It might seem obvious, but living in the moment and appreciating the joyful moments in life is an extremely important skill to have when gauging overall happiness. For example, when I was on Thanksgiving break, I took this lesson to heart by enjoying the time with my family rather than giving in to the negative external distractions around me. Whenever I had feelings of joy, I embraced them. I did not give in to the distractions of social media, unnecessary work, or the negative news headlined on TV. Mary Oliver’s poem “Don’t Hesitate” touches on these themes well from the beginning. 

“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”

This quote emphasizes the need to “give in to” joy. With all the outside noise and unhappiness in the world, people need to remind themselves to get the most out of the joyful moments. 

Mary Oliver’s poem also reminded me of the reading about Henry Thoreau where Edward Abbey and his companions refrain from hearing the results of the presidential election. They separate themselves to engage with nature and truly enjoy their time on the river without distraction. 

“We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed.”

This quote notes the importance of how rare purely joyful moments can be. Therefore, it makes it even more crucial to appreciate the ones we do have. Mary Oliver’s last line states “Joy is not made to be a crumb”. Crumbs are typically not given any attention while we eat, so this comparison is the perfect ending to emphasize the need to appreciate these moments.

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