Mary Oliver: Life and Nature

I think poetry can be very intimidating. There's always some deeper meaning, and often it can feel like you are just trying to decode a piece of work. Sometimes it can even feel like every line holds some complicated meaning. I have definitely felt this. However, throughout my time in high school, I really learned to love and value the process of poetry, and that's what I wanted to share about today!

Photo Creds: The Poetry Foundation

Mary Oliver is one of my favorite poets. Her poems feel thoughtful, and like a common theme in her poetry, like a light walk through nature. That said, Mary Oliver is best known for her themes of nature, solitude, and really paying attention to the small details of life. I really love how Oliver focuses on those things that can maybe feel mundane and shows their true beauty. It's something I want to be better at. Being able to live within a quiet moment and truly acknowledge all that is around me. Another one of my favorite things about her work is that nature isn't just scenery; it often comes to life, revealing a deeper meaning. Many of her poems go on to explore broader ideas, such as identity and gratitude.

Photo Creds: Google

One poem in particular that stood out to me is "The Journey." I remember reading this poem for the first time the summer before my junior year of high school, and it has really stuck with me. This poem describes the moment when someone decides to stop listening to everyone around them, stops trying to please everyone, and finally chooses themselves. At the beginning, the person is hearing very familiar voices around them telling them what to do. I feel like this could represent family, or maybe close friends, and just all those expectations that come with these relationships. 

I also think this poem can just discuss the experience of someone living a difficult or maybe unhealthy life and being able to begin anew.

Finally, I especially love the part near the end of this poem.

 “But little by little,

as you left their voices behind, 

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds, 

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company.”

This really feels like the moment of shifting in this poem, when the person decides they cannot live their life as they have been. And even if they have a hard path of fallen branches, it is worth it because little by little, they can leave it behind. We also see a very interesting description of the transition from one life to another, with how she describes the sky clearing and the stars burning.

Photo Creds: Google

Photo Creds: Google

A few other poems by Mary Oliver that I would encourage you to check out are "Wild Geese" and "The Summer Day." These poems continue the same theme of really celebrating the quietness and importance of the outdoors. They focus on reflection and gratitude and are simply two other really great poems.

Overall, I think Mary Oliver is a great first poet to read if you are interested in getting into poetry. I don't think she makes things overly complicated, and her writing feels familiar. She also discusses very fun and common themes. We've all been in nature, and I'm sure to some degree, we all have a favorite spot in nature. Mary Oliver writes about these experiences and the important things they can teach us. 

I encourage you to check out her poems and really try to use her idea of noticing the nature around you, having a deeper appreciation for it, and living in the moment!

Happy Women’s History Month!

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