A Wild and Precious Life
It was a privilege to hear Mary Oliver read her poetry last night at Cape Cod Community College. Mary lives on the Cape, and she said with a smile, “It’s not often I read in my home country.”
My friend Pam Ross (writerross)asked me to detail the poems that Mary Oliver read, and I will do so, along with some quotes and impressions…
What an elegant yet unassuming presence Mary has! She was dressed simply in a dark turtleneck and slacks… her white-silver hair glowed in the spotlight, and she wore large glasses to read. Her presence is quiet, yet commanding.
Her first poem was “Why I Wake Early,” and then, “5 a.m. in the Pine Woods.” It was breathtaking to hear her read beautifully-crafted phrases like “damp tassels of weeds,” punctuating her poems with reverent pauses.
Mary added wonderful touches of wry humor to her comments. Before she read “Wild Geese,” she said, “I might as well get it over with and read ‘Wild Geese.’ Those poor geese have been flying for years.”
“I have a little dog that I aim to make famous,” Mary said, and she spoke about her dog Percy before reading “Percy One.”
She then read “Mindful,” and it was so moving to hear her speak such lovely words aloud…. “the untrimmable light of the world.”
Mary read “The Truro Bear,” and “Messenger.”
“Mornings at Blackwater,” so lovely, was next. Mary spoke about her walks in the woods of Provincetown… “I named all the ponds,” she said with a smile.
I had a lump in my throat as Mary spoke about her long-time partner, Molly Malone Cook, who died in 2005. She spoke about Molly, and read passages from Our World, her book about their life together. “It was a 40 year conversation,” she said of their relationship.
Mary then read another Percy poem, followed by a luminous reading of “Mysteries, Yes.” How delightful to hear her read, “Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have all the answers.”
She then read “The Swan,” (“an armful of white blossoms”) “Red” and “The Summer Day.” A lovely murmur swept through the packed auditorium as she spoke the words “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
“Almost a Conversation” and “Violets” came next.
Mary then read “Mockingbirds” and “Whelks,” followed by “Coyote in the Dark” and “The Trees.”
“You may notice I’m not big on titles,” she said to laughter.
Mary read “White Hen Rises Over Blackwater.” She then said, “Of course, I’m going to close with Percy.” She read the delightful “Little Dog’s Rhapsody in the Night.” It ended the reading with laughter and cheers. Mary received a standing ovation; she smiled broadly and bowed her head to the audience in return.
What a poised, luminous presence she is-elegant and tough at the same time. I feel quite lucky to have heard Mary Oliver’s words, in her voice, on such a lovely Cape Cod evening.
My friend Pam Ross (writerross)asked me to detail the poems that Mary Oliver read, and I will do so, along with some quotes and impressions…
What an elegant yet unassuming presence Mary has! She was dressed simply in a dark turtleneck and slacks… her white-silver hair glowed in the spotlight, and she wore large glasses to read. Her presence is quiet, yet commanding.
Her first poem was “Why I Wake Early,” and then, “5 a.m. in the Pine Woods.” It was breathtaking to hear her read beautifully-crafted phrases like “damp tassels of weeds,” punctuating her poems with reverent pauses.
Mary added wonderful touches of wry humor to her comments. Before she read “Wild Geese,” she said, “I might as well get it over with and read ‘Wild Geese.’ Those poor geese have been flying for years.”
“I have a little dog that I aim to make famous,” Mary said, and she spoke about her dog Percy before reading “Percy One.”
She then read “Mindful,” and it was so moving to hear her speak such lovely words aloud…. “the untrimmable light of the world.”
Mary read “The Truro Bear,” and “Messenger.”
“Mornings at Blackwater,” so lovely, was next. Mary spoke about her walks in the woods of Provincetown… “I named all the ponds,” she said with a smile.
I had a lump in my throat as Mary spoke about her long-time partner, Molly Malone Cook, who died in 2005. She spoke about Molly, and read passages from Our World, her book about their life together. “It was a 40 year conversation,” she said of their relationship.
Mary then read another Percy poem, followed by a luminous reading of “Mysteries, Yes.” How delightful to hear her read, “Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have all the answers.”
She then read “The Swan,” (“an armful of white blossoms”) “Red” and “The Summer Day.” A lovely murmur swept through the packed auditorium as she spoke the words “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
“Almost a Conversation” and “Violets” came next.
Mary then read “Mockingbirds” and “Whelks,” followed by “Coyote in the Dark” and “The Trees.”
“You may notice I’m not big on titles,” she said to laughter.
Mary read “White Hen Rises Over Blackwater.” She then said, “Of course, I’m going to close with Percy.” She read the delightful “Little Dog’s Rhapsody in the Night.” It ended the reading with laughter and cheers. Mary received a standing ovation; she smiled broadly and bowed her head to the audience in return.
What a poised, luminous presence she is-elegant and tough at the same time. I feel quite lucky to have heard Mary Oliver’s words, in her voice, on such a lovely Cape Cod evening.