Mary Oliver: A Poetic Celebration of Animals

Mary Oliver, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is revered for her profound connection with nature and her ability to capture its beauty through her words. Among her extensive body of work, Oliver's poems about animals stand out as poignant expressions of her deep admiration for the natural world. Through her evocative imagery and insightful observations, Oliver brings to life the diverse creatures that inhabit our planet, inviting readers to rediscover their own connection with the animal kingdom.

Exploring the Animal Kingdom

Oliver's poems beautifully depict a wide range of animals, from the majestic to the humble. In her poem "Wild Geese," she invites readers to contemplate the grace and freedom of these migratory birds:

Wild Geese

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Here, Oliver transcends the mere description of geese and encourages readers to embrace their own wild nature, to let go of societal expectations, and to find solace in the simplicity of love and self-acceptance.

In "The Black Snake," Oliver celebrates the resilience and wisdom of this often misunderstood reptile. She writes:

The Black Snake

When the black snake
flashed onto the morning road,
and the truck could not swerve—
death, that is how it happens

Oliver's succinct yet powerful words capture the sudden encounter between man and snake, reminding us of the fragile balance between life and death. Through her poetry, she encourages readers to appreciate the inherent value of every creature, no matter how feared or misunderstood.

Lessons from the Animal World

Beyond their sheer beauty, Oliver's animal poems often carry profound lessons for human existence. In "The Journey," she draws parallels between the life of a bear and our own personal journeys:

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
...
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Through this metaphor, Oliver encourages readers to find the strength within themselves to follow their own paths, despite the doubts and criticisms of others. Just like the bear, we must embrace our individuality and forge our own destinies.

Finding Connection and Contemplation

Oliver's poems about animals not only celebrate the creatures themselves but also the profound connection between humans and the natural world. In "Dogfish," she explores this connection through the lens of the ocean's mysterious inhabitants:

Dogfish

But you didn't.
You came back. You're here.
Rescued again, so it seems,

Through her deeply introspective verses, Oliver reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life forms, urging us to appreciate the world around us and the creatures we share it with.

Mary Oliver's poems about animals are a testament to her reverence for nature and her ability to find profound meaning in the simplest of encounters. Through her evocative language and insightful observations, she invites readers to rediscover their own connection with the animal kingdom, encouraging us to see the world through new eyes. Oliver's poetry reminds us that in the presence of animals, we can find inspiration, solace, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.