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
At the time I was growing up, literature was involved with the so-called confessional poets. And I was not interested in that. I did not think that specific and personal perspective functioned well for the reader at all. Mary Oliver callconfessionalfunction share on social
My first two books are out of print and, okay, they can sleep there comfortably. It's early work, derivative work. Mary Oliver bookcomfortablyderivative Change image and 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 believe art is utterly important. It is one of the things that could save us. Mary Oliver artimportantsave Change image and share on social
The woods that I loved as a child are entirely gone. The woods that I loved as a young adult are gone. The woods that most recently I walked in are not gone, but they're full of bicycle trails. Mary Oliver adultbicyclechild 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
We all have a hungry heart, and one of the things we hunger for is happiness. So as much as I possibly could, I stayed where I was happy. Mary Oliver happinesshappyheart Change image and share on social
I have the feeling that a lot of poets writing now are - they sort of tap dance through it. Mary Oliver dancefeltlot Change image and share on social
Writers sometimes give up what is most strange and wonderful about their writing - soften their roughest edges - to accommodate themselves toward a group response. Mary Oliver accommodateedgegive Change image and share on social
