Devotions: A Read with Jenna Pick: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

Mary Oliver is a truly inspiring poet. Her descriptions of nature are absolutely stunning and moving. Once I read one of her poems, I knew I had to purchase a collection she wrote. She is a national treasure.

such an amazing selection of works!! highly recommend for anyone who enjoys the environment, animals, and beautiful prose

Mary Oliver’s poetry is truly beautiful, stunning, and touches the heart as it opens your eyes to the wonder and magic of life all around us. Each poem is to be savored and delightfully enjoyed as tou sit with it and let it sink in and transform you.

Mary Oliver(1935-2019)Bestselling Poet, Winner of the National Book Award & The Pulitzer Prize“Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that."The main theme the late Oliver shares is her abiding love and deep regard for the natural world. It is the fabric she prefers to lay her words on and wrap them up in and where she always found not only peace, but understanding of the importance of taking time to truly smell, touch and honor the earth. Though she has penned hundreds of poems, here are a few that I found especially notable. She also wrote many nature-themed essays but gave very few interviews feeling that her work could speak for itself.She was a New York Times bestselling poet with a wise and generous wisdom and an intimate respect for the world not of our making. Here are a few examples of her work;Mornings At BlackwaterFor years, every morning, I drankFrom Blackwater Pond.It was flavored with oak leaves and also, no doubt,The feet of ducks.And always it assuaged mefrom the dry bowl of the very far past.What I want to say isthat the past is the past,and the present is what your life is,and you are capableof choosing what that will be,darling citizen.So come to the pond,or the river of your imagination,or the harbor of your longing,and put your lips to the world.And liveyour life.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.Three Things To RememberAs long as you’re dancing, you canbreak the rules.Sometimes breaking the rules is justextending the rules.Sometimes there are no rules.For many, poetry has to rhyme, for others it has to adhere to a particular structure or have a certain word count and the variety of forms have accumulated over time. For Mary Oliver it had to express her observations of the natural world and perhaps she said it best, “When you write a poem, you write it for anybody and everybody.”• Poetry tells a story• What’s your poem?

I am in love with this collection of poetry. Oliver has such a way of capturing the human experience in her observations of the quiet moments of life. I’ve gifted this book to several of my loved ones and it is always a hit!

The media could not be loaded. Mary Oliver's *Devotions* is a breathtaking collection that distills the essence of her life's work into one volume. The anthology brings together over 200 poems, offering a profound exploration of nature, spirituality, and the human experience. Oliver's language is both simple and profound, with each poem inviting the reader to pause and reflect on the beauty and mystery of the world around us.Her observations are sharp yet gentle, capturing the sacred in the everyday. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, *Devotions* is a treasure trove that provides comfort, inspiration, and a deep sense of connection to the natural world. It's the kind of book you'll return to again and again, finding new layers of meaning with each read.

It’s Mary Oliver so it’s a great book of poetry & reveals enough slices of her work to tease us into loving her…a combination of Wendell Berry, Robert Frost And others whose main work always uses nature to cast the poems. My favorites were “mornings at black water” and “to Walden” etc.

A breathtaking collection that invites readers into Mary Oliver's world of nature, introspection, and profound beauty. Each poem feels like a gentle nudge to pause, breathe, and truly observe the world around us. This book is perfect for anyone looking to connect with nature or seeking solace in the written word. If you’re a fan of poetry or just in need of a little inspiration, I highly recommend picking up this collection. It’s a treasure that I’ll cherish for years to come.