Embracing the Present: Poems about Enjoying the Moment

In our fast-paced and chaotic world, it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The constant demands and pressures can make it difficult for us to appreciate the simple joys that surround us. However, poets have long recognized the importance of living in the present and have beautifully captured the essence of enjoying the moment through their words. In this article, we explore a collection of poems that remind us to slow down, savor the present, and find solace in the beauty of life's fleeting moments.

"The Summer Day" by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean -

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down -

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

In "The Summer Day," Mary Oliver invites us to pause and appreciate the world around us. She marvels at the intricate details of nature, from the swan to the grasshopper, reminding us of the beauty that exists in the tiniest of creatures. Oliver's contemplative tone encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and question how they choose to spend their precious time.

"A Drinking Song" by W.B. Yeats

Wine comes in at the mouth

And love comes in at the eye;

That's all we shall know for truth

Before we grow old and die.

I lift the glass to my mouth,

I look at you, and I sigh.

In "A Drinking Song," W.B. Yeats captures the essence of enjoying the present moment through the lens of love and wine. The simplicity of his words reflects the idea that sometimes, all we need is a moment of connection with another person to feel alive. This short but evocative poem reminds us that embracing the present can be as simple as raising a glass and sharing a heartfelt sigh.

"Happiness" by Carl Sandburg

I asked professors who teach the meaning of life to tell

me what is happiness.

And I went to famous executives who boss the work of

thousands of men.

They all shook their heads and gave me a smile as though

I was trying to fool with them

And then one Sunday afternoon I wandered out along

the Desplaines river

And I saw a crowd of Hungarians under the trees with

their women and children and a keg of beer and an

accordion.

Carl Sandburg

In "Happiness," Carl Sandburg reminds us that joy can be found in the simplest of moments. As the speaker seeks the meaning of happiness from experts, they all fail to provide an answer. However, it is during a chance encounter with a group of Hungarians gathered under the trees, enjoying each other's company, music, and beer, that the true essence of happiness is found. Sandburg's poem encourages us to look beyond material possessions or societal expectations and find contentment in the unassuming moments of life.

These poems serve as gentle reminders to embrace the present moment and find solace in life's fleeting joys. Through the words of Mary Oliver, W.B. Yeats, and Carl Sandburg, we are encouraged to slow down, pay attention, and savor the simple pleasures that exist all around us. So, let us take a moment to appreciate the beauty of a summer day, the sweetness of love, and the contentment found in the company of others. After all, life's precious moments are meant to be cherished, celebrated, and enjoyed to the fullest.