653 Quotes by Mary Oliver

As for the body, it is solid and strong and curiousand full of detail: it wants to polish itself; it wants to love another body; it is the only vessel in the world that can hold, in a mix of power and sweetness: words, song, gesture, passion, ideas,ingenuity, devotion, merriment, vanity, and virtue.

I tell you thisto break your heart,by which I mean onlythat it break open and never close againto the rest of the world.

But, to write well it is entirely necessary to read widely and deeply. Good poems are the best teachers. Perhaps they are the only teachers. I would go so far as to say that, if one must make a choice between reading or taking part in a workshop, one should read.

In looking for poems and poets, don't dwell on the boundaries of style, or time, or even of countries and cultures. Think of yourself rather as one member of a single, recognizable tribe. Expect to understand poems of other eras and other cultures. Expect to feel intimate with the distant voice. The differences you will find between then and now are interesting. They are not profound. (p. 11)

PrayingIt doesn’t have to bethe blue iris, it could beweeds in a vacant lot, or a fewsmall stones; justpay attention, then patcha few words together and don’t tryto make them elaborate, this isn’ta contest but the doorwayinto thanks, and a silence in whichanother voice may speak.

When I woke the morning light was just slipping in front of the stars and I was covered with blossoms.

Drive down any road,take a train or an airplaneacross the world, leaveyour old life behind,die and be born again~wherever you arrivethey'll be there first,glossy and rowdyand indistinguishable.The deep muscle of the world.

What is certain in the rational realm is by no means certain in the kingdom of swoon.

A lifetime isn’t long enough for the beauty of this world and the responsibilities of your life.Scatter your flowers over the graves, and walk away. Be good-natured and untidy in your exuberance.In the glare of your mind, be modest.And beholden to what is tactile, and thrilling.