the coast

by Mary Oliver

Invitation

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 this 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.