Exploring the Beauty of Summer through Poems by Mary Oliver

The Essence of Summer in Poetry

Summer is a season that evokes feelings of warmth, joy, and freedom. It is a time of lush greenery, blooming flowers, and sunny days. Poets throughout history have been inspired by the beauty of summer, capturing its essence in vivid imagery and lyrical language. One such poet who masterfully conveys the spirit of summer in her work is Mary Oliver.

The Poetry of Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver was an American poet known for her profound connection to the natural world. Her poems often explore themes of nature, spirituality, and the human experience. Oliver's writing is characterized by its simplicity, yet it carries a deep emotional resonance that resonates with readers.

Oliver's poems are filled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, capturing the beauty and wonder of the changing seasons. Her work conveys a sense of awe and reverence for the world around us, inviting readers to slow down and savor the moments of beauty that surround them.

Summer Poems by Mary Oliver

"The Summer Day"

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean—
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

"White-Eyes"

In winter
all the singing is in
the tops of the trees
where the wind-bird
with its white eyes
shoves and pushes
among the branches.
Like any of us
he wants to go to sleep,
but he's restless—
he has an idea,
and slowly it unfolds
from under his beating wings
as long as he stays awake.
But his big, round music, after all,
is too breathy to last.
So, it's over.
In the pine-crown
he makes his nest,
he's done all he can.

These are just a couple of examples of the evocative and enchanting poetry that Mary Oliver wrote about summer. Her words have the power to transport readers to a world of natural beauty and spiritual contemplation, reminding us to appreciate the wonders of the world around us.

To conclude, Mary Oliver's summer poems are a testament to the timeless allure of the season and the endless inspiration that nature provides. Her work serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and immerse ourselves in the beauty that surrounds us, especially during the fleeting months of summer.