Today's Poet - Mary Oliver

I admit coming late to the work of Mary Oliver. According to Wikipedia she is our country's best-selling poet, but until listening to her speak on Krista Tippet's podcast, "On Being," I was unaware of her long (born in 1935) and well-known life.

I'd missed out on reading poems created from accessible words that go straight to brain and heart. If you are one to enjoy a slow walk along a river, a sitting still to watch a busy insect, Ms. Oliver has written a poem you may well enjoy. In one interview she said hides pens in trees in case she needs to write. I like the idea of pens being available in case an idea or phrase comes to mind. Always carry paper. Try not to to lose your pen.

Although writing in short, easily-read sentences, Ms. Oliver is not a "light-weight." Among her many awards are included both the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry and the National Book Award for Poetry.

She dares to ask the reader questions that make one STOP and think about answers. One of her most famous lines: "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Well, thanks for THAT, Ms. Oliver?!? Thanks for waking me up once again to mortality and life and possibility? Thanks for saying that our lives are precious. Thanks for making us ponder, if only for a minute, something well worth the serious ponder.

If you care to read Mary Oliver's poetry online, there are many places in which to do so. Dare to read several or many. Dare to ask yourself the questions she raises. Dare to go to the library or local bookstore and actually sit with her words in your hands. (I plan to do so tomorrow.)
She seems the sort of person with whom one could invite to coffee. She seems to be that neighbor both gentle, yet firm, in her views. I don't know if she'd be one for company for a walk. But she might suggest you go on a hike of your own.

Today's Challenge "forced" me to slow down and READ and think and imagine. Dare yourself to step into Mary's landscape. The short poems can be read quite quickly - dare to read them several or more times. Allow the words and images to sink into eyes, ears, brain, and soul. Your world will be both larger and small for the doing.
Sit with Mary Oliver's poetry and you sit with Mary Oliver. Words of darkness. Words of joy. The next time you see an ant you will probably see it differently.

Because of Mary Oliver.

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Oh, and I made a little hand-made book today. It's cover is the protective brown cardboard circle off of a paper coffee cup. It was fun to make. It helped me focus. I used up some other papers, linen thread, and two small beads. It's a start. We have to start....

Fare-thee-well,
Sue

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