Felicity

This is Oliver's last book of new poems, written when she was in her 80s. Its theme is testifying to her love of nature, of walks, and of her 40 year partnership with Molly Malone Cook with whom she seemed very happy. It's about long love, a lifetime of love, enduring love.

The writing is spare, simple, direct. She is a modern everyman's poet.

Although I typically prefer heftier poetry, this group of plainsong poems was a much needed reminder that clarity and simple gratitude is ultimately profound.

A House, or a Million Dollars

People do it,
some out of desperation,
others out of greed.

They steal.

The very powerful and clever
might steal a whole house,
or a million dollars.
It's been done.

But what does it matter?
Love is the one thing the heart show more craves
and love is the one thing
you can't steal. show less

This is the first book of poems I've read that made me want to read more when I finished. I love Mary Oliver's style and her poems really speak to me. I picked this up to read outside my usual comfort zone, and I'm glad I did.

Felicity - Mary Oliver
4 stars

I own several books of Mary Oliver’s poetry. This kindle edition was published in 2015. It is not my favorite of her collections, but there were still poems or bits and pieces of poems that I loved. This book is divided into two sections with approximately twenty poems in each section. The first section is called The Journey. The second section is called Love with a single poem at the end in a section called Felicity.

The poems in the first part of the book were more successful to me. They are meditations on the natural world which is what I tend to expect from Oliver. So many of her brief poems include questions. I may forget the rest of the poem, but I sometimes take the questions with me when I go for show more a walk. show less

well this is lovely. virtually all of these are touching and accessible and wise and such a great reminder of the beauty in the world and in each other. my first oliver and i am impressed and moved and understand why i've been hearing about her for so long.

"Your heart is beating, isn't it?
You're not in chains, are you?

There is nothing more pathetic than caution
when headlong might save a life,
even, possibly, your own."

"You wouldn't believe what once or
twice I have seen. I'll just
tell you this:
only if there are angels in your head will you
ever, possibly, see one."

"All important ideas must include the trees,
the mountains, and the rivers."

"Rumi said, There is no proof of the soul.
But isn't the return of spring and how it
springs up in our show more hearts a pretty good hint?" show less

There are moments that cry out to be fulfilled.
Like, telling someone you love them.
Or giving your money away, all of it.

Your heart is beating, isn't it?
You're not in chains, are you?

There is nothing more pathetic than caution
when headlong might save a life,
even, possibly, your own.

Many people love Mary Oliver, and this is a well-reviewed collection, but perhaps it's not an ideal entry into her work—or perhaps her work just isn't to my taste. I found these poems thin, uninspired, and mostly half-formed. They felt like scribbles you'd find in the margins of a better collection.

In a startling change of direction, Mary Oliver writes a collection of intellectual poetry using urban, industrial metaphors and experimental language.

No, just kidding. This book is yet another lovely continuation of her previous work in natural imagery, simple language, and the encouragement of gratitude, appreciation of beauty, and oneness with the natural world. It also contains a pretty significant chunk of love poetry. Mary Oliver fans will be satisfied.