Customers who viewed this item also viewed

This is my first review here, and I wanted it to be for someone very very special,I read her back in those days when the idealism was just beginning to seep out,so here's to the memory of the 16 year old me and the trembling mass of inconsolable longing I have been thereafter,in memory of Mary the sensational lover,the ever faithful bride married to amazement, who always had room in her heart for the unimaginable,the soul born out of pure attentiveness,I don't want to know what path my life would have tread if you hadn't occurred to me..

Jan 20, Hanna rated it it was amazing. The selections in this book try to find answers to that question, primarily in the natural world. These are poems about nature and wonder, love and death, egrets and humpback whales. They aren't difficult poems, but straightforward in their precise, well-crafted imagery. There is a beauty in their apparent simplicity, in the observations of a poet clearly in love with "There is only one question: There is a beauty in their apparent simplicity, in the observations of a poet clearly in love with the natural world around her.

In her own words: When it's over, I want to say: I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. From "When Death Comes" Feb 07, Doug Wells rated it really liked it. What a lovely writer of simple and elegant thoughts. This one ventured more towards nature and natural settings.

Part of one, In Blackwater Woods, will forever stick with me: To live in this world you must be able to do three things: The precious poetry of Mary Oliver gets a long look in volume one of her selected poems. These are classic poems, but Oliver's work stands the test of time and stays fresh better than almost any other poet. I thought it might have been better to be at a shorter length and go chronologically from her first poems to her later volumes, but I was pleasantly surprised at how more raw and opinionated her earlier works were. Reading those pieces at the end might be what I remember most from this.

Mary The precious poetry of Mary Oliver gets a long look in volume one of her selected poems. Mary Oliver's poems show careful, broad skill, are beautifully focused, challenge the reader in the most thoughtful, humane ways and, in the end, are brimming over with peace. Apr 19, Mark Robison rated it liked it. The book spans 30 years and goes backward chronologically from to She simply became a better poet after this time frame.

Dec 02, Lauren Adams rated it it was amazing Shelves: Mary Oliver is the greatest of them all. I bookmarked about 25 poems in this collection that I plan to read frequently and already have. She writes mainly about nature, starting with the smallest details described in the most artistic way, panning out its and our purpose in this world. If you've ever wanted to get into poetry but roll your eyes Mary Oliver is the greatest of them all.

If you've ever wanted to get into poetry but roll your eyes at rhyme or forced abstract descriptions, I love Oliver's effortless approachability.

What is Imagery?

Jul 27, mike rated it really liked it. View all 3 comments. An accessible, beautiful, meaningful collection of poetry that everyone should read. Oliver has a marvelous way of writing about the natural world and situating herself and us within it, asking the big questions of existence.

Words & Images a book of poetry by Leroy Roper Volume One

This is a collection that I will be reading for the rest of my life. Jan 08, Kirby rated it it was amazing. I really loved getting to know Mary Oliver better through this collection. I've never been particularly affected by nature poetry, but the way that she ruminates on the connections between humans and the natural universe is incredibly moving. I also like the way this volume was organized, with her most recent poems first then going back in reverse chronological order-- her newer work definitely has a more serene air of wisdom, peace, and stability than her earliest work, where you can see her tr I really loved getting to know Mary Oliver better through this collection.

I also like the way this volume was organized, with her most recent poems first then going back in reverse chronological order-- her newer work definitely has a more serene air of wisdom, peace, and stability than her earliest work, where you can see her trying to define her voice, trying out a variety of poetic forms and rhyme schemes. There were gems in each section, but in general, I liked the poems from Dream Work the most, which I felt dealt most explicitly with those spiritual, meaning-of-life concepts that I love so much. I feel grateful that Mary Oliver has written approximately one million poems, so there is still tons of her work left for me to explore.

Sep 04, Erika rated it really liked it. Few of these were compiled into this collection of poems from ; perhaps that is why, though I enjoyed it, I am, on the whole, lukewarm about it. Though Oliver likes to ponder things like the soul, the spirit, higher power, prayer--things from which I tend to shy away--she does so wit The first thing I read from Oliver was her collection "Why I Wake Early," which definitely reverberated in me.

Though Oliver likes to ponder things like the soul, the spirit, higher power, prayer--things from which I tend to shy away--she does so with a typically unoffending, child-like innocence that, coupled with her heavy focus on natural phenomena or minutia of her surrounding world, is non-presumptuous and not worth contesting with full force. And the degree to which she is capable of observing the natural world in a manner suggesting she knows she is still a part of it--or knows she wants to be--something difficult to admit given the concrete jungles in which most of us tend to live--is nothing short of breath-taking and beautiful.

I want my writing to mirror hers, though of course, being a different person with a different vision and different spiritual beliefs, this would be impossible. Some of my favorite poems collected here, which I highly recommend are: I guess I would sum up Oliver's writing as only as 'religious' as a poem of hers suggests: I would say that the search for a higher power is close to --gasp!

But that doesn't mean life, nature, our observations of it and how they are reflected in creation both living and artificial, concocted , are in anyway meaningless. And I think if Oliver were here right now to have a discussion about it with me, we'd see eye to eye on something as simple as 'a flower is a prayer' --and the realest, truest kind.

Ten gold stars and a Pulitzer in addition to the one s? Jun 27, Lexi rated it it was amazing. Oct 28, Arta rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was absolutely fantastic! I can't choose a favourite, really because I enjoyed every poem. There are so many quotable and beautiful parts. Most of them are influenced by nature which I personally really liked and thought was very fascinating. They made me feel happy and sad at the same time. But most importantly, they made me think and reflect. This was also the first time I've read poetry. I've never been into poetry - or at least I thought I wasn't - but apparently I was wrong.

I'm glad I This was absolutely fantastic! I'm glad I got out of my comfort zone and managed to read a bunch of poems and will most definitely continue reading poetry. Aug 25, Natalie rated it it was amazing. I've been on a poetry kick lately. I would have told you 3 years ago that I don't get poetry, any poetry. But lately, I can't get enough.

See a Problem?

There are a few lines in some of these poems that knocked me out. Every year everything I have ever learned in my lifetime leads back to this: Oct 24, Lauren rated it it was amazing. Emily Dickenson said it best. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only way I know it.

Peter Nassey (Author of Poetic Imagery - Volume 3)

Is there any other way" Mary Olivers' poetry continuously gives me chills and reminds me how amazing it is to be alive in this world. Could a writer ask for any better success than that?

I think her poetry is simple and approachable enough to convinc Emily Dickenson said it best. I think her poetry is simple and approachable enough to convince anyone who thinks of poetry as an outdated and aloof form of writing to think otherwise. However, the simplicity of these poems by no means takes away from the deep resounding messages they hold. I read and re-read this collections constantly and only grow to love it more.

Sep 07, Kim rated it it was amazing.

Upcoming Events

Mary Oliver's work has helped me endure many long nights of the soul. Like so many people, I was introduced to her poems by way of 'Wild Geese,' which would be a cliche except it's so damn beautiful you forget, re-reading it, that it pops up all over these days. Read 'In Blackwater Woods' or 'Dogfish,' out loud. Even if you don't like poetry. Her later work takes up some new subjects, most significantly, her long relationship with her partner Molly, Molly's death, and after.

But while Mary Oliver's work has helped me endure many long nights of the soul. But while she's never hidden her love for a woman, this is not that oft-mocked beast, 'lesbian poetry. Jan 04, rosamund rated it it was amazing Shelves: I know this is a book I will return to again and again. Like Oliver's other collections, I'm never going to stop wanting to read it or finding something new in it.

Customers who bought this item also bought

I'm constantly amazed by how her clear, precise language contains such depth of feeling. Oliver's primary concern is her own mortality, and she constantly finds new ways to think about it. Her poetry doesn't patronise, but it remains hopeful. I want to turn to it every time I struggle with expressing myself, because I would love to be I know this is a book I will return to again and again.


  • New and Selected Poems, Volume One by Mary Oliver.
  • Pattys Heartfelt Poetry.
  • Dieu Dispose (French Edition).
  • Life Is A Buffet.
  • Immagine & Poesia - Images and Poetry Volume 1 | ArtSlant!
  • New and Selected Poems, Volume One.

I want to turn to it every time I struggle with expressing myself, because I would love to be even half as direct as Oliver. Oct 07, Sellyndavies rated it it was amazing. Mary Oliver's Pulitzer-Prize winning poetry captures the remote sense of mystery and appreciation of the natural world characteristic of the Unitarian Universalist perspective.

She is the rare poet who can use nature imagery to capture the raw pain and beauty of engaging fully in the moment - the perfection of the world, the fragility of life. Poetry comes from poets, and Chiarelli's moving, thoughtful contemplation about the work of one artist and the nature of how all art comes into being is outstanding. Gianpiero Actis' colorful painting combines abstraction and realism, as an eye peers out.

It brings to mind the surrealistic images of early 20th century Italian masters like de Chirico, and the frequent symbolic use of eyes. Yet, in Actis' work there is no sinister, watchful aspect to the disembodied eye. Rather, as the song of a bird invites you to listen, this is a joyous invitation to look.

Painting by Bebe Barkan. Barkan's paintings are wildly uninhibited, colorful, joyful responses to life. Many of her abstracted figurative works are paintings of family, and this is a painting of her granddaughter. Barkan is an exceptional and accomplished artist.

Follow the Author

While one might see affinities in her work to that of Alice Neel or Alex Katz, or to the bright pop colors in Warhol portraits, Barkan's work owes nothing to them or any other artist. He work is wholly original, personal and wonderful, and is filled with wit, warmth and charm.

Mia Barkan Clarke's delightful poem, "Spring," perfectly captures the childhood delights of play, through the eyes of a loving mother. But, she reminds us that play is not the exclusive domain of children. Barkan is paired with a piece of abstract, figurative photography by artist Adel Gorgy titled, "Woman, Durer to Matisse. Here, he raises a thoughtful question about origins, and leaves the reader to ponder possibilities.

Barkan's poetry presents powerful concepts beautifully written, and "First Birth" is a terrific example. In it, the poet raises questions about the story of Adam and Eve, and offers a different vision of woman's role. Contemporary photographic artist Adel Gorgy. Adel Gorgy is a an internationally known contemporary artist whose work is provocative in the best sense of the word. In his recent series of images, he challenges viewers to see, with fresh eyes, the work of well known artists.

In a complex and time-consuming process, Gorgy collects, composes and recombines visual phrases found in the work of renowned artists. In this elegant and lively work, Matisse's bold Fauvist colors are paired with Durer's demure, delicate Eve. The result is much more than the sum of the parts, as it presents Gorgy's artistic vision through the lens of artists of the past.

Poet and artist Helen Bar-Lev presents a poem that does just what poetry does best. It captures a small moment that condenses and amplifies the big picture. Stillness and simplicity seem to reign. But, that's just the setup for the knockout. Painting by Carolyn Mary Kleefeld. Carolyn Mary Kleefeld is a painter and poet who often creates ekphrastic works. Here, her "Timeless Lovers" are paired in both image and verse.