Hi there,
I just watched Mary Oliver: Saved by The Beauty of The World (part of PBS’s American Master series) and it was such a great window into her life and art. I don’t read a lot of poetry but, like many, I am inspired by hers, and I hope you are or will be too.
Poem of the One World was originally published in Mary Oliver’s collection A Thousand Mornings
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.”
“Listen--are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?”
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?”
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.”
“Love yourself. Then forget it.
Then, love the world.”
“Joy is not made to be a crumb.”
I hope you watch the show. Sending love,
Patricia
You are the second person to recommend this show and I'm sure so many of us intend to watch! I can't wait to sit back an immerse myself in her world. What a gift she and her work was to us all. Thanks for the reminder!
God I love Mary Oliver so much, she keeps popping up in different little ways in my life this year as I go through such tumult, and here she is again. Thank you 🙏