Thirst

Oliver touches my soul once again

OLIVER, Mary. Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver. Beacon Press. 2006. 71 p. 5 stars.

Winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, Mary Oliver has penned another collection of forty-three moving and meaningful poems. Coping with the loss of her lifelong partner, Oliver's latest book contains poems full of grief, confusion and spiritual hope. Similar to her other works (of which there are over 20), Thirst focuses on the themes of the natural world, the fluid physical environment and living beings; as a result Oliver presents us with a heart-felt, basic and pure way of looking at life (and death as a part of life). "Wherever else I live-in music, in words, in the fires of the heart, I abide just as deeply in this nameless, indivisible place, this world, which is falling apart now, which is white and wild, which is faithful beyond all our expressions of faith, our deepest prayers" (2-3). As always, Oliver is able to describe what we feel and see in a pure and remarkable way. She is not gratuitous with her words (some poems are only two sentences long) yet she conveys a sentiment or thought beautifully.
The book's layout is simplistic; there are no illustrations except for the cover photograph. The cover art is made to mimic a linen journal. The font is the same throughout and basic in style. The reader is forced to focus on Oliver's poems, her words. Her basic themes and simple style allow readers new to the genre to approach poetry without feeling lost or overwhelmed. This volume would be suitable for high school readers and should be available to anyone with an appreciation for nature or life's trials and triumphs. After completing this collection, I can only say I was thirsty for more.

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Is Oliver Thirsty Enough?

No.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

THIRST IS ELOQUENT AND MYSTICAL

I was drawn to the title because living in the desert thirst is an ever present concern.

I was delighted when I began reading THIRST to find it was about the other unquenchable THIRST in one's life, the search for peace and joy, and a higher being.

Mary Oliver creates from her palate of words some of the most wonderful places a reader would want to go. The poetry style is easy reading. I would classify her writing as excerpts of insights rather than poems.

Mary Oliver's THIRST enlightened my mind and delighted my soul. I would encourage anyone who is seeking peace, quite, and perhaps even their God, to read THIRST, Poems by Mary Oliver.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Deeply moving

I found Thirst to feels like a book of prayers and not poetry. It was warm and welcoming and just what I needed to help me through a dark time in life.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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