If you have been craving some beautiful prose during this dreadful summer, I have just the author for you, Mary Oliver. She was a poet who recently passed away in 2019, and wrote with themes surrounding grief, nature, celebrating friendship, and so much more. You’ve probably heard the saying “poetry is good for the soul” at least once in your life, but I have to emphasize this; Mary Oliver is needed for your soul.
First, I am going to recommend her selected poem collection, Devotions. There are over two-hundred poems in this collection, all worth reading. These poems focus primarily on her relationship with nature and how we, as beings, are so closely connected to nature. This collection is filled with some heartwarming poems about the ordinary things in our lives, and it is a must-read.
Next, I recommend Dog Songs. If you couldn’t already tell, this is a collection Oliver devoted to her late dog, Percy, and other dogs she grew close with throughout her life. Even if you aren’t a dog lover, you will fall in love with this book. Oliver examines the heartbreak and laughter that we experience with our pets. If you are like me and have a pet who is getting older and you’re starting to feel sad about it, now is the perfect time to read Dog Songs. Pets are our best friends and that is the core of all of the poems in here.
Finally, I recommend her collection titled Blue Horses. Again, these poems are more of a reflection on her relationship with nature and praising the small moments in life. There were many beautiful poems that made an impact on how I see the world around me. There is a romantic feel in these poems that I adored and it makes for a perfect beach read. Or wherever you read outside!
Poetry may seem too simple to read, but the impact is very real. If you want to read more from this genre, Mary Oliver is a great place to start with. These works of hers make for good summer reads, whether you are reading in your room, on the beach, by a lake, or wherever!
By Merryn Overbeck ‘28
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