Joy is Not a Crumb: A Writing Practice to Mary Oliver’s “Don’t Hesitate”

Here's a writing practice video I made for 27 Powers. I love Mary Oliver, and her poem, Don't Hesitate, speaks—I think—to this moment we are in. As lives are being destroyed by our ruling regime, we must remember that "life has some possibility left". And that joy, is a "way of fighting back."

Here's the poem:

Don’t Hesitate by Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,

don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty

of lives and whole towns destroyed or about

to be. We are not wise, and not very often

kind. And much can never be redeemed.

Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this

is its way of fighting back, that sometimes

something happens better than all the riches

or power in the world. It could be anything,

but very likely you notice it in the instant

when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case.

Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid

of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

s.