653 Quotes by Mary Oliver

"Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness.

In Our Woods, Sometimes a Rare MusicEvery springI hear the thrush singingin the glowing woodshe is only passing through.His voice is deep,then he lifts it until it seemsto fall from the sky.I am thrilled.I am grateful.Then, by the end of morning,he's gone, nothing but silenceout of the treewhere he rested for a night.And this I find acceptable.Not enough is a poor life.But too much is, well, too much.Imagine Verdi or Mahlerevery day, all day.It would exhaust anyone.

Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.

LonelinessI too have known loneliness. I too have known what it is to feel misunderstood, rejected, and suddenly not at all beautiful. Oh, mother earth, your comfort is great, your arms never withhold. It has saved my life to know this. Your rivers flowing, your roses opening in the morning. Oh, motions of tenderness!

LonelinessI too have known loneliness.I too have known what it is to feel misunderstood, rejected, and suddenly not at all beautiful. Oh, mother earth, your comfort is great, your arms never withhold. It has saved my life to know this. Your rivers flowing, your roses opening in the morning. Oh, motions of tenderness!

Everyone now and again wonders aboutthose questions that have no readyanswers: first cause, God's existence,what happens when the curtain goesdown and nothing stops it, not kissing,not going to the mall, not the SuperBowl."Wild roses," I said to them one morning."Do you have the answers? And if you do,would you tell me?"The roses laughed softly. "Forgive us,"they said. "But as you can see, we arejust now entirely busy being roses.

A poem should always have birds in it.

EVERY DOG’S STORYI have a bed, my very own.It’s just my size.And sometimes I like to sleep alonewith dreams inside my eyes.But sometimes dreams are dark and wild and creepyand I wake and am afraid, though I don’t know why.But I’m no longer sleepyand too slowly the hours go by.So I climb on the bed where the light of the moonis shining on your faceand I know it will be morning soon.Everybody needs a safe place.

Be prepared. A dog is adorable and noble.A dog is a true and loving friend. A dogis also a hedonist.