New and Selected Poems

New and Selected Poems collects work spanning several decades of Mary Oliver's career as a poet, including both previously published pieces and new compositions. The volume was published in 1992 and went on to win the National Book Award. The collection contains poems from Oliver's earlier books including American Primitive and Dream Work, along with new pieces written specifically for this volume. Nature serves as the primary subject matter, with observations of wildlife, landscapes, and seasonal changes throughout. Oliver's trademark style combines precise descriptions of the natural world with moments of personal revelation and philosophical questioning. Her poems explore themes of mortality, wonder, and humanity's relationship with wilderness, creating connections between daily observations and universal experiences.

Readers connect with Oliver's accessible nature imagery and contemplative observations about life. Many note her ability to find profound meaning in small moments and natural details. Multiple reviews mention the poems "Wild Geese" and "The Summer Day" as standouts that offered comfort during difficult times. Common praise focuses on: - Clear, unadorned language that remains powerful - Themes of mindfulness and being present - Connection between nature and spirituality Main criticisms: - Some find the nature focus repetitive - A few readers note the poems can feel simplistic - Occasional comments about uneven quality across the collection Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (500+ ratings) From reviews: "Her words cut through pretense to reveal honest truths" - Goodreads reviewer "Like having a conversation with a wise friend" - Amazon reviewer "Made me slow down and notice the world around me" - LibraryThing reviewer

Dream Work by Mary Oliver Collection of poems exploring human connection to nature through observations of wildlife, landscapes, and seasonal changes.

A Year with Rilke by Anita Barrows, Joanna Macy Daily readings of Rilke's poetry and prose focus on solitude, nature, and inner contemplation.

Delights & Shadows by Ted Kooser Poems illuminate everyday moments and rural Midwest scenes through precise imagery and attention to overlooked details.

The Wild Iris by Louise Glück Series of poems spoken through garden flowers and plants examines existence, mortality, and the relationship between humans and nature.

Nine Horses by Billy Collins Poetry collection transforms ordinary experiences into moments of reflection through observations of birds, weather, and daily routines.

🍂 Mary Oliver wrote "The Summer Day" - one of her most quoted poems with the famous closing line "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - which appears in this collection 🌿 The book won the National Book Award for Poetry in 1992, one of the highest honors in American literature 🦊 Oliver's deep connection to nature was formed during her childhood in Ohio, where she would escape family troubles by walking in the woods and writing poems 🌳 Many poems in this collection were written during Oliver's daily walks near her home in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where she lived for over 40 years with her partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook 🦅 Oliver was known as "the poet of Provincetown" and would often write her observations on small pads while walking, sometimes covering 5 miles a day in search of inspiration