Everything is waiting for you

Greg Rakozy

 

Your great mistake is to act the drama

as if you were alone. As if life

were a progressive and cunning crime

with no witness to the tiny hidden

transgressions. To feel abandoned is to deny

the intimacy of your surroundings. Surely,

even you, at times, have felt the grand array;

the swelling presence, and the chorus, crowding

out your solo voice. You must note

the way the soap dish enables you,

or the window latch grants you freedom.

Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity.

The stairs are your mentor of things

to come, the doors have always been there

to frighten you and invite you,

and the tiny speaker in the phone

is your dream-ladder to divinity.

Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into the

conversation. The kettle is singing

even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots

have left their arrogant aloofness and

seen the good in you at last. All the birds

and creatures of the world are unutterably

themselves. Everything is waiting for you.

David Whyte

Analysis: 

This poem explores the interconnectedness of life and the importance of mindfulness. It suggests that the speaker's perception of isolation is a result of their own preoccupation, rather than an objective reality. The poem encourages the reader to recognize the beauty and significance of everyday objects and experiences, and to see themselves as part of a vast and intricate web of existence.

Compared to the author's other works, this poem shares a commitment to exploring the relationship between humanity and nature, and the importance of paying attention to the present moment. However, it is less abstract and more accessible than some of his other works, using concrete imagery and straightforward language to convey its message.

In the context of the time period, the poem reflects a growing awareness of the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of environmental stewardship. It also speaks to the human need for connection and belonging, which was particularly relevant during a time of social and political upheaval.