Invitation

An American goldfinch picking thistle down from the plant.

Invitation

by Mary Oliver

Oh do you have time
to linger
for just a little while
out of your busy
and significant 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 the broken world.
I beg of you,

do not walk by
without pausing
to attend to this
It was a 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.