Original Poem
The Journey One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice— though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles. "Mend my life!" each voice cried. But you didn't stop. You knew what you had to do, though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations, though their melancholy was terrible. It was already late enough, and a wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones. But little by little, as you left their voices behind, the stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds, and there was a new voice which you slowly recognized as your own, that kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world, determined to do the only thing you could do— determined to save the only life you could save.
Translation (English)
The Journey
One day you finally realized
what you needed to do, and started,
even though the voices around you
kept giving bad advice—
even though the whole house
started to shake
and you felt the familiar pull
at your feet.
"Fix my life!"
each voice demanded.
But you didn't pause.
You knew what you needed to do,
even though the wind tried
with its stiff fingers
to shake the very foundations,
even though their sadness
was overwhelming.
It was already late
enough, and a stormy night,
and the road was full of fallen
branches and stones.
But gradually,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars started to shine
through the clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you walked deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.
About the Poet
Mary Oliver (20th century)
Mary Jane Oliver (1935–2019) was an American poet known for her work inspired by nature. She won the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 and the National Book Award in 1992. Her poetry is characterized by vivid imagery and unadorned language.
Read more on Wikipedia →Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Free verse
- When Written
- Late 20th century
- Background
- Mary Oliver's poetry often reflects themes of self-discovery and personal growth, inspired by her solitary walks in nature. 'The Journey' is a metaphor for personal transformation and the courage to follow one's own path despite external pressures.
Sources: https://hellopoetry.com/poems/5249/the-journey, https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/words-of-wonder/the-journey-mary-oliver/, https://www.thethinkingproject.co.uk/poemsofathinkingenvironment/thejourneymaryoliver, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Oliver
Detailed Explanation
Mary Oliver's poem 'The Journey' is a powerful metaphor for personal transformation and self-discovery. It describes a moment of realization when the speaker understands what they must do to change their life. Despite the negative influences and pressures from others, symbolized by 'voices' giving bad advice and a house trembling, the speaker is resolute. The imagery of a wild night and a difficult path full of obstacles represents the challenges faced during this journey. As the speaker moves forward, they leave behind the negative voices and begin to hear their own inner voice, symbolizing self-awareness and independence. The poem emphasizes the importance of listening to oneself and having the courage to pursue one's own path, ultimately saving one's own life. Oliver's use of vivid imagery and free verse enhances the emotional impact of the poem, making it a relatable and inspiring piece about resilience and personal growth.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| tremble | shake | to shake slightly because of fear, cold, or emotion | trem-buhl |
| tug | pull | a strong pull or jerk | tuhg |
| pried | forced open | to force open or apart with difficulty | prahyd |
| melancholy | sadness | a deep, persistent sadness or gloom | mel-uhn-kol-ee |
| determined | resolved | decided firmly | dih-tur-mind |
| foundations | bases | the basic parts that support something | foun-day-shuhnz |
| stride | walk | walk confidently | strahyd |
| company | companionship | being with someone | kuhm-puh-nee |
| wild | untamed | not controlled | wahyld |
| recognized | identified | knew again | rek-uhg-nahyzd |
| save | rescue | protect | seyv |
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