lettering combined

Yesterday was Calligraphy Class and I wanted to surprise Marge and get some homework done to bring in.  My very thoughtful neighbor gave me a beautiful poetry book by Mary Oliver called "Red Bird".  In it is this poem that I love called "Invitation" .  It's one that is also inspiring me for a collage.  So...I lettered a portion of the poem.  I also have this photograph that I took in Door County that I felt would be a nice companion to the poem.  I lightened my photograph when I printed it and then scanned my lettering on it.  Maybe i will do some of my own poetry this way and make a little chap book.

Invitation

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy

and very important day
for the goldfinches
that have gathered
in a field of thistles

for a musical battle,
to see who can sing
the highest note,
or the lowest,

or the most expressive of mirth,
or the most tender?
Their strong, blunt beaks
drink the air

as they strive
melodiously
not for your sake
and not for mine

and not for the sake of winning
but for sheer delight and gratitude -
believe us, they say,
it is a serious thing

just to be alive
on this fresh morning
in this broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
rather ridiculous performance.

It could mean something.
It could mean everything.
It could be what Rilke meant, when he wrote:
You must change your life.

                                    Mary Oliver