Thirst: Poems

This excellent book entitled, "Thirst" by Mary Oliver, is very exciting to read. The poems are realistic, contemporary, and inspiring to the soul. It leaves one with a sense of feeling which brings tranquility to the mind, body and spirit.

The architectural style of the poems is very pleasing to the eyes and actually gives a different feeling while reading the lines. The variation of such designs makes the poems easier to read. Her innovative style of writing also makes the poems very interesting and inspiring.

Beginning with the first poem in this excellent book, "Messenger," with such words as, "a mouth with which to give shouts of joy," set the stage for a refreshing and an encouraging read. Here she presents to us, that the mouth should be used to sing, give praises, and build things up, instead of belittling, tearing down or destroying things.

Another great poem is, "When Roses Speak, I Pay Attention." This is also an enchanting and touching poem to read. Imagine the scent of roses on Valentine's Day with such aromatic fragrance which speaks to the mind, body, and soul; who would not pay attention and listen?

Her expression in "Making the House Ready for the Lord," is very moving and evolving. She presents her questions to the Lord in such an eloquent fashion, while seeking His advice. The raccoon limping into the kitchen, fox staring boldly down the path in the new fallen snow, including the lost dog, all of which she speaks with, thus presenting such enchanting and fascinating images. Consider her words to each of them, as she says,"Come in, Come in!" This picture is similar to Like Noah and the Ark; her home was ready for the Lord.

The dynamic, inspirational, and uplifting poem "The Uses of Sorrows," certainly shows the tenacity and perseverance of the soul. It represents aspects of life we must understand and react to in a positive manner by embracing and learning from its essence. She presents to us that sorrows could actually be joy based on our perception and state of reference when receiving and processing such events.

The Epilogue entitled, "Thirst," with the same name of the book, shows her humility. She asked in a humble fashion for the granting of more time to accomplish her tasks on Earth, since she is a slow learner who is very thirsty. This is such a wonderful sign of humbleness to her Lord as she continues with her inspiration and uplifting mission of reviving souls.

This book is a must read. One has to read it to appreciate the other wonderful poems on its golden pages.

Submitted by "Epulaeryu Master."

In "Thirst", Mary Oliver bravely introduces us to her rediscovered religion - Christianity, and she does it in the most familiar, pantheistic, gently questioning way. Like how she tenderly describes the transformation of the simple substances of bread and wine, at the same time wondering how she can quiet herself to enter into that mystery, in `Coming to God: First Days'.

Blending the worlds of Earth spirituality with the more `traditional' `religious' must not have been without some setbacks for the poet in, `More Beautiful Than the Honey Locust Tree Are the Words of the Lord':
"I had such a longing for virtue, for company.
I wanted Christ to be as close as the cross I wear.
I wanted to read and serve, to touch the altar linen.
Instead I went back to the woods where not a single tree
turns its face away."

I find poetry very enjoyable and therapeutic. This Pulitzer Prize winning poet who writes about the natural world is my cup of tea. She may be yours as well. Let me just tantalize you with a few lines from a poem called "The Summer Day" to give you a taste of what her poetry is like.

I do know how to pay attention,
how to fall down
into the grass,
how to kneel 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?"

Oliver's poetry works for me generally; Thirst worked for me particularly. Materiality and spirituality coincide here again and again. I've already re-read, and am sure I will continue to do so in the future.

In Mary Olivers' latest book, Thirst, I find, once again, her never-ending quest for the answers that we all seek...her spirituality pours over the edges of the book and onto myself...and I, in turn, struggle alongside her to find the same answers...she, once again, helps us in and on our spiritual path....Thanks, Mary...your writing is still pure and thoughtful...and makes me realize that I am not the only seeker in the world.

* Thirst, Mary Oliver. The tone of this beautiful collection of poems is set in the first line of the first poem, entitled Messenger: "My work is loving the world." It is obvious in this collection and in the larger body of her work throughout her life that her work is loving the world deeply. And it is in this same spirit that, after the death in 2005 of her beloved longtime partner Molly Malone Cook, has led her back to the church she disengaged from many years ago. Her journey has always been a spiritual one. In her poems about Jesus, God, faith and sacraments it is clear that for her, rdeengaging with the church is part of loving the world. A line in her poem "A Beautiful Striped Sparrow" says it best: "as they promised,/ God, once he in your heart,/ is everywhere--"

Though her path is different from mine, and though it may be off-putting to some, I deeply appreciate and respect each of these poems. I look forward to seeing more from her as she continues her work of loving the world.

National treasure Mary Oliver, in a book as fierce in love as it is numinous with understandings of God and wilderness, gives us Thirst. The poems in this collection celebrate the life and death of Oliver's beloved partner of over 40 years, Molly Malone Cooke. Oliver's art, sharp and expansive, is stunning, brilliant, and made of adoration.

"Thirst" is my favorite book of Mary Oliver's poems and prose. This contains some of her most overtly spiritual work. You can find a kindred spirit in her words. In addition to the title poem "Thirst," I especially loved "Making the House Ready for the Lord."

I read lots of different material and am rarely touched as deeply as I have been while reading Mary Oliver's "Thirst." Her poems have moved me to prayer; for myself, my loved ones, this beautiful world and for the poet herself. Thank you.

From one of the foremost poets writing in the English language, this is a superb collection of poems reflecting the concerns of loss, faith, beauty and the human condition.
Buy it, read it, savour the power of a writer at her peak.
Beautiful, beautiful work.

I love the serenity that comes over me when reading Mary Oliver's poetry. Her way of tying the physical and the spiritual speaks to my heart. I appreciate both nature and the God of my understanding better because of her words.

From one of the foremost poets writing in the English language, this is a superb collection of poems reflecting the concerns of loss, faith, beauty and the human condition.
Buy it, read it, savour the power of a writer at her peak.
Beautiful, beautiful work.

I love the serenity that comes over me when reading Mary Oliver's poetry. Her way of tying the physical and the spiritual speaks to my heart. I appreciate both nature and the God of my understanding better because of her words.