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What Members Thought
Read Harder 2018: a book about nature
Mary Oliver’s poetry is good for my soul. It is best taken in short doses - a poem or two or three - with a bit of time to let them settle into my heart and mind slowly, like rocks drinking water.
My favorite in this volume might be:
I’m Not The River
I’m not the river
that powerful presence.
And I’m not the black oak tree
which is patience personified.
And I’m not redbird
who is a brief life heartily enjoyed.
Nor am I mud nor rock nor sand
which is holding everyt ...more
Mary Oliver’s poetry is good for my soul. It is best taken in short doses - a poem or two or three - with a bit of time to let them settle into my heart and mind slowly, like rocks drinking water.
My favorite in this volume might be:
I’m Not The River
I’m not the river
that powerful presence.
And I’m not the black oak tree
which is patience personified.
And I’m not redbird
who is a brief life heartily enjoyed.
Nor am I mud nor rock nor sand
which is holding everyt ...more
I took my thirteen-year-old to the library shortly after Oliver's death, and they had a lovely display of her work in the lobby. Of course I couldn't resist adding a volume to my already too-large stack. Somehow I don't own any of Oliver's books (though without looking, I would have predicted that I did), so it was a good chance to get better acquainted.
I chose a good volume, I think. One poem "Rumi (for Coleman Barks)" is definitely after the style of Barks's translations, but then I could feel ...more
I chose a good volume, I think. One poem "Rumi (for Coleman Barks)" is definitely after the style of Barks's translations, but then I could feel ...more
I decided to let go of the feeling that I'm not reading poetry correctly. So I just sat down and consumed this in one sitting like I wanted to while sitting at a Starbucks. I had this feeling that I was supposed to read each poem and ruminate for a day or two or something. But by just allowing myself to enjoy it, I actually did. Clear and simple beauty. Like a quick drink of cool, clear water.
...more
While I usually love Mary Oliver, this one wasn't my favorite. Not bad, but it didn't hit my like some of her other works have.
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This might be my favorite Mary Oliver collection - which is saying a lot!
Aug 20, 2014
Claire Jefferies
marked it as to-read
Sep 04, 2014
Emily
marked it as to-read
Sep 30, 2014
Kirstin
marked it as to-read
Oct 22, 2015
Kaitlin
marked it as to-read
Nov 15, 2015
Rick
marked it as to-read
Apr 11, 2016
Erica Freeman
marked it as to-read
Nov 06, 2016
Wellington
marked it as to-read
Jan 24, 2019
Amber
marked it as to-read
