Invitation
by Mary Oliver
 

Oh do you have time

to linger

for just a little while

out of your busy

​

and very important 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

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.