Poems of Mary Oliver

"My work is loving the world."
from Messenger by Mary Oliver

I adore that quote from Mary Oliver, a nature poet who beautifully uses words to express what she learns from God's creation. The above quote is representative of Oliver's feelings about the world around her:
She knows that as a human being she is meant to love the beauty of the Earth. She is the"messenger" sent
to tell the world of the "quickening yeast" "blue plums" and "speckled sand" that she admires so the that others can come to admire them also.

"Meanwhile I stand in the same dark peace as any pine tree, or wander on slowly like the still unhurried wind, waiting as for a gift."
from Walking Home from Oak-Head by Mary Oliver

During a previous class period Professor Corrigan asked us if we ever took the time to walk aimlessly around campus, just observing and taking in all that surrounds us. The general consensus of the class
was that no, we don't do that as often as we should. In our busy world we spend alot of time rushing from
one place to the next, always at the mercy of our full schedules and the next big important thing we need to take care of. I think everyone should set aside one day of the month during which they take on the characteristic of the "unhurried wind" and spend a few hours seeing and enjoying the wonders of creation.

"Then I enter the place of not-thinking, not-remebering, not-wanting."
from Six Recognitions of the Lord by Mary Oliver

Oliver, like many of us, desires to escape the chaotic world of everyday life and enter into a state of being where she can meet God unhindered. In doing so, Oliver not only shuts out the world but also shuts out her thoughts and feelings, her fears and expectations, so God can speak to the deepest part of soul.