Strikingly redesigned to accompany the publication of New and Selected Poems, Volume Two Praise for the poetry of Mary Oliver: "One of the astonishing aspects of Oliver"s work is the consistency of tone over this long period. What changes is an increased focus on nature and an increased precision with language that has made her one of our very best poets . . . There is no complaint in Ms. Oliver"s poetry, no whining, but neither is there the sense that life is in any way easy . . . These poems sustain us rather than divert us. Although few poets have fewer human beings in their poems than Mary Oliver, it is ironic that few poets also go so far to help us forward." --Stephen Dobyns, New York Times Book Review "Mary Oliver"s poetry is fine and deep; it reads like a blessing. Her special gift is to connect us with our sources in the natural world, its beauties and terrors and mysteries and consolations." --Stanley Kunitz "One would have to reach back perhaps to [John] Clare or [Christopher] Smart to safely cite a parallel to Oliver"s lyricism or radical purification and her unappeasable mania for signs and wonders." --David Barber, Poetry "I have always thought of poems as my companions--and like companions, they accompany you wherever the journey (or the afternoon) might lead . . . My most recent companion has been Mary Oliver"s The Leaf and the Cloud . . . It"s a brilliant meditation, a walk through the natural world with one of our preeminent contemporary poets." --Rita Dove, Washington Post
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Poems that are tender and profound.:
The best poems say with words that which can't be said with words. I know that sounds like double-talk, but it's true. The best poems act as catalysts, creating emotions and connections in us that the words taken by themselves just don't convey. For example, veteran poet Mary Oliver's poem "Rain" (the first in her "New and Selected Poems, Volume One") opens with "All afternoon it rained, then / such power came down from the clouds / on a yellow thread, / as authoritative as God is supposed to be. / When it... more info
New and Selected Poems, Vol one:
Mary Oliver is without a doubt one of America's finest poets! I think her keen observations of nature and of life are wonderfully rich and satisfying. This book was given to me as a gift--and by now I have bought every thing else she has ever written. I also buy this book as a gift for friends--and hope they will find the discovery of Oliver as rewarding as I have. I am also delighted that Mary Oliver is still very much alive--and hopefully still writing.
Takes you to another dimension...:
These poems will transport you into a world of peace and tranquility. You will reach into your soul and discover truths...some you had forgotten and some that you never knew that you had. Mary Oliver's poems are a voyage in self-discovery. Enjoy the ride!
Read These Poems Out Loud:
Here is a book with a soul. Read these poems out loud, slowly. Let the music resonate between your ears. Linger on each line. Let each stanza stand alone. Who but Mary Oliver can ask: Is the soul solid, like iron?
Or is it tender and breakable, like
the wings of a moth in the beak of an owl? Oliver will take you to places light and dark, hopeful and hopeless, and you will remember them for a long time.
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