Every morning I walk like this around the pond, thinking: if the doors of my heart ever close, I am as good as dead

Every morning I walk like this around the pond, thinking: if the doors of my heart ever close, I am as good as dead

Mary Oliver, the beloved poet and nature enthusiast, often found inspiration in the natural world around her. Her poetry is filled with vivid imagery and deep reflections on life, love, and the human experience. In the line, "Every morning I walk like this around the pond, thinking: if the doors of my heart ever close, I am as good as dead," Oliver captures the essence of her own philosophy on life and the importance of remaining open and vulnerable to the world around us.

For Oliver, the act of walking around the pond each morning is not just a physical exercise, but a spiritual practice. It is a time for reflection, contemplation, and connection with the natural world. The pond becomes a metaphor for the depths of the human heart, a place of mystery and wonder that must be explored and nurtured in order to truly live a full and meaningful life.

In the line, "if the doors of my heart ever close, I am as good as dead," Oliver speaks to the importance of remaining open and receptive to the world around us. She understands that closing oneself off from the world, shutting out love, beauty, and connection, is a form of spiritual death. To truly live, one must be willing to open their heart, to be vulnerable, and to embrace the joys and sorrows of life with an open mind and an open heart.

Oliver's poetry is a testament to the power of nature to heal, inspire, and transform. Through her words, she invites us to slow down, to pay attention, and to find beauty and meaning in the world around us. In the act of walking around the pond each morning, she finds solace, peace, and a deep connection to the natural world that sustains and nourishes her soul.