I don't want to end up simply having visited this world

I don't want to end up simply having visited this world

Mary Oliver, the beloved poet and Pulitzer Prize winner, often wrote about the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Her poems are filled with vivid imagery and profound observations about the interconnectedness of all living things. In one of her most famous quotes, she said, "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world."

This quote speaks to Oliver's deep reverence for the Earth and her desire to fully immerse herself in the experience of being alive. For her, life was not just about going through the motions or checking items off a bucket list. It was about truly engaging with the world around her, taking in its sights, sounds, and smells, and allowing herself to be moved by its beauty and complexity.

Oliver's poetry often reflects this sentiment, as she writes about the joy of watching a bird in flight, the peace of a quiet forest, or the awe-inspiring power of the ocean. She encourages her readers to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the small moments that make life worth living.

In a world that is increasingly fast-paced and disconnected from nature, Oliver's words serve as a reminder to pause and appreciate the world around us. She urges us to not just pass through life, but to truly inhabit it, to be present and engaged in each moment.

To Oliver, simply existing was not enough. She believed in living with intention, in seeking out beauty and wonder wherever it could be found. She understood that our time on this Earth is limited, and she wanted to make the most of it by fully experiencing all that life has to offer.