Evidence by Peter Lattu

Mary Oliver’s Evidence

Mary Oliver’s new book of poems, Evidence, continues to explore her familiar theme of how nature’s beauty can bring awe, amazement, inspiration and comfort. She begins with a quote from Kierkegaard: “We create ourselves by our choices.” She has certainly done that. Walking out into her natural surroundings in the early morning, she brings back to us poems about mockingbirds, wolves, yellow finches, swans, buzzards, deer, violets, bluebirds and pines. Even the grass does not escape notice and attention.

Her poems bring us more than just observations of nature explored during morning walks. In Evidence, she challenges us twice. First, in “To Begin With, the Sweet Grass”, she writes:

And, if you have not been enchanted by this adventure –
your life –
what would do for you?

Then again, in “Evidence”, she repeats:

… if you have not been enchanted by
this adventure – your life – what would do for
you?

This question is central to Mary Oliver’s life and poetry. She has clearly been enchanted by every day of her adventure. She shares this enchantment with us through her poetry.

Come, join her on her adventure as she carries her notebook out into spring, among the honey locusts, into the orchard, and to the pond. Walk along with her and look at the world through her eyes in Evidence. Share Mary Oliver’s joy in our common adventure, this life.

{Piece by Peter Lattu}