“LandscapeIsn't it plain the sheets of moss, except thatthey have no tongues, could lectureall day if they wanted aboutspiritual patience? Isn't it clearthe black oaks along the path are standingas though they were the most fragile of flowers?Every morning I walk like this aroundthe pond, thinking: if the doors of my heartever close, I am as good as dead.Every morning, so far, I'm alive. And nowthe crows break off from the rest of the darknessand burst up into the sky—as thoughall night they had thought of what they would like their lives to be, and imaginedtheir strong, thick wings.”
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Quote Analysis
In this poignant poem by Mary Oliver, the speaker reflects on the beauty and resilience of nature, drawing inspiration from the landscape around her. The speaker marvels at the moss, the oaks, and the crows, finding lessons in their quiet strength and persistence. The imagery of the black oaks standing "as though they were the most fragile of flowers" highlights the delicate balance of life and the need for patience and resilience. The speaker's daily walks around the pond serve as a reminder of the importance of keeping an open heart and appreciating the gift of each new day. The crows, breaking off from the darkness and bursting into the sky, symbolize the power of imagination and the possibility of transformation. Through nature, the speaker finds solace and inspiration, reminding us of the beauty and resilience that surrounds us every day.
Modern Relevance of Mary Oliver's "Landscape"
Mary Oliver's poem "Landscape" reminds us of the importance of staying connected to the natural world and finding beauty and meaning in the small moments of everyday life. In today's fast-paced and technology-driven world, it's easy to lose touch with our surroundings and the simple joys that nature can offer. This poem encourages us to slow down, appreciate the beauty around us, and find solace in the natural world. It serves as a gentle reminder that even in our busiest moments, taking a quiet walk or observing the world around us can bring clarity and peace to our hearts.
Poetic Reflection on Nature by Mary Oliver
"Isn't it plain the sheets of moss, except that
they have no tongues, could lecture
all day if they wanted about
spiritual patience? Isn't it clear
the black oaks along the path are standing
as though they were the most fragile of flowers?
Every morning I walk like this around
the pond, thinking: if the doors of my heart
ever close, I am as good as dead.
Every morning, so far, I'm alive. And now
the crows break off from the rest of the darkness
and burst up into the sky—as though
all night they had thought of what they would like their lives to be, and imagined
their strong, thick wings." - Mary Oliver
Reflection Questions
In this beautiful poem by Mary Oliver, she captures the essence of nature and its lessons on spiritual patience. Let's dive deeper into our reflections on this piece:
How does the imagery of the moss, black oaks, and crows in the poem evoke a sense of spiritual patience and resilience?
Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually connected to nature. How did that experience impact your sense of patience and gratitude?
The poem mentions the fear of the "doors of the heart closing". What do you think Mary Oliver is trying to convey with this metaphor? How do you interpret it in your own life?
Consider the line "Every morning, so far, I'm alive". How can we cultivate a sense of gratitude for each new day, despite life's challenges and uncertainties?
Reflect on the image of the crows bursting up into the sky, imagining their ideal lives. How can we learn from the crows' sense of purpose and vision in shaping our own lives?
Similar quotes
“Every morning I walk like this aroundthe pond, thinking: if the doors of my heart ever close, I am as good as dead.”
“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.”
“Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air -An armful of white blossoms,A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leanedinto the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,Biting the air with its black beak?Did you hear it, fluting and whistlingA shrill dark music - like the rain pelting the trees - like a waterfallKnifing down the black ledges?And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds -A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feetLike black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?And have you changed your life?”
“I want to think again of dangerous and noble things. I want to be light and frolicsome. I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing, as though I had wings.”
“I wanted the past to go away, I wanted to leave it, like another country; I wanted my life to close, and open like a hinge, like a wing, like the part of the song where it falls down over the rocks: an explosion, a discovery; I wanted to hurry into the work of my life; I wanted to know,whoever I was, I wasalive for a little while.”
“DogfishI wantedThe past to go away, I wantedTo leave it, like another country; I wantedMy life to close, and openLike a hinge, like a wing, like the part of the song Where it fallsDown over the rocks: an explosion, a discovery; I wanted To hurry into the work of my life; I wanted to know,Whoever I was, I wasAliveFor a little while.…mostly, I want to be kind.And nobody, of course, is kind,Or mean,For a simple reason.And nobody gets out of it, having to Swim through the fires to stay inThis world.”