I came across an interesting line in a poem by Mary Oliver. The poem is “Everything That Was Broken” in her poetry book Felicity, and the line says this:

Every day has something in it whose name is Forever.

When we think of named things, people, places, and objects come to mind. Nouns and proper nouns, all of them. But we know that we live in a world where death and decay happen. We lose loved ones, we age ourselves, the brakes wear out on the car and have to be replaced, and our favorite jeans develop a hole. Many, if not most, of the things we love will pass away, including our very own bodies. So what’s Oliver talking about?

I think Oliver is suggesting that there is an undercurrent of Beauty running through every day. If you see your day as a series of moments, you’ll see evidence of Beauty: the sunlight warm on your shoulders, a smile or funny story from a loved one, the uninhibited relish of your pet eating its food, the wag of the tail or rub against your legs.

Noticing Beauty takes effort. Beauty doesn’t beg for attention, but its invitation is always there. It’s closely watching a bee pick its way through a dandelion flower, smelling the air after the rain, and tasting the crunchy sweetness of an apple.

What’s your Forever today? Though the people, pets, places, and things you love are changing, passing away slowly, you can savor Beauty and capture a little Forever every day.

Photo courtesy of Kuhlens Photography