Mary Oliver: Celebrating the Beauty of Water in Poetry

Mary Oliver, an eminent American poet, was known for her profound connection with nature and her ability to capture its essence in her poems. Among the various elements of nature that fascinated Oliver, water held a special place. Her verses about water are filled with awe, reverence, and an appreciation for the life-giving force it embodies. Through her evocative language and vivid imagery, Oliver allows readers to immerse themselves in the beauty and power of water.

1. "The River"

In her poem "The River," Oliver beautifully portrays the ever-changing nature of water. She writes:

The river
is famous to the fish.
The loud voice is famous to silence,
which knew it would inherit the earth
before anybody said so.

In these lines, Oliver emphasizes the river's significance to both its inhabitants and the surrounding environment. The personification of silence inheriting the earth highlights the river's timeless presence and its vital role in the natural world.

2. "The Sea"

Oliver's poem "The Sea" captures the vastness and mystery of the ocean. She writes:

The sea can do craziness, it can do smooth,
it can lie down like silk breathing
or toss havoc shoreward; it can give
gifts or withhold all; it can rise, ebb, froth
like an incoming frenzy of fountains, or it can
sweet-talk entirely. As I can too,
and so, no doubt, can you, and you.

Through her vivid descriptions, Oliver captures the contrasting moods and potential of the sea. The simile comparing the sea to silk breathing evokes a sense of calmness, while the image of an incoming frenzy of fountains conveys the ocean's power and unpredictability.

3. "At Blackwater Pond"

In "At Blackwater Pond," Oliver reflects on the transformative power of water and its ability to bring solace. She writes:

At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have settled
after a night of rain.
I dip my cupped hands. I drink
a long time. It tastes
like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold
into my body, waking the bones.
I hear them
deep inside me, whispering
oh what is that beautiful thing
that just happened?

These lines illustrate the intimate connection between the poet and water. The act of drinking from the pond becomes a metaphor for rejuvenation and a reminder of life's wondrous moments. Oliver's use of sensory imagery and the personification of her bones whispering adds a touch of magic to the poem.

Mary Oliver's poems about water invite readers to contemplate the beauty and power of this essential element. Through her masterful use of language, she captures the ever-changing nature of water, its capacity for tranquility or chaos, and its ability to evoke a sense of wonder. Oliver's poetry serves as a reminder of the profound connection between humans and the natural world, encouraging us to appreciate and protect the invaluable resource that is water.