There were times over the years when life was not easy, but if you're working a few hours a day and you've got a good book to read, and you can go outside to the beach and dig for clams, you're okay. Mary Oliver beachbookclam Change image and share on social
Sometimes breaking the rules is extending the rules. Mary Oliver breakextendrule Change image and share on social
When it's over, I want to say: all my life I was a bride married to amazement. I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms. Mary Oliver amazementarmbride Change image and share on social
In college, you learn how to learn. Four years is not too much time to spend at that. Mary Oliver collegelearnspend Change image and share on social
I consider myself kind of a reporter - one who uses words that are more like music and that have a choreography. I never think of myself as a poet; I just get up and write. Mary Oliver choreographykindmusic Change image and share on social
I always feel that whatever isn't necessary shouldn't be in a poem. Mary Oliver feelpoem Change image and share on social
It's very important to write things down instantly, or you can lose the way you were thinking out a line. I have a rule that if I wake up at 3 in the morning and think of something, I write it down. I can't wait until morning - it'll be gone. Mary Oliver importantinstantlyline share on social
I learn a lot about my poems when I read them by the way people respond to them. Mary Oliver learnlotpeople Change image and share on social
I worked probably 25 years by myself, just writing and working, not trying to publish much, not giving readings. Mary Oliver givepublishreading Change image and share on social
The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the same time I love the old ones. Mary Oliver challengelovepoet Change image and share on social
