Mary Oliver Poem #2: "Oxygen"

Mary Oliver Poem #2: “Oxygen”

September 30, 2023

    Mary Oliver's poem, "Oxygen," invites readers to explore the profound interconnectedness between nature and human existence, highlighting the significance of the air we breathe. In just a few lines, Oliver manages to capture the essence of life, love, and our undeniable dependence on the natural world. It evoked a great sense of reflection in me, and for that, I appreciated how Mary Oliver was able to personify this invisible part of life.

    The poem begins with a universal truth, "Everything needs it: bone, muscles, and even, while it calls the earth its home, the soul." In this opening line, Oliver emphasizes the universality of the need for oxygen. It's not just a biological necessity for our bodies but something that penetrates even the deepest recesses of our being, reaching the soul. By personifying oxygen as a "noisy machine," she introduces a sense of vitality and constant motion, making it seem almost like a benevolent, tireless companion in our lives. Air or oxygen is this ever-present ever-needed part of life. For many people, including myself, oxygen is often forgotten about. Unless something is wrong, people ignore the necessity and dependence we have on oxygen. It is a part of life that connects all humans and, furthermore, parts of the observed natural world. 

    The poem takes an intimate turn when Oliver shifts her focus to a loved one, someone who is in the same space yet inhabits their own world. The description of the person breathing patiently with an aching shoulder creates a sense of empathy and intimacy. The act of breathing, something we often take for granted, is portrayed as a beautiful sound, a reminder of life's preciousness. This passage also highlights the subtleties of human connection—the shared space, the awareness of each other's presence, and the recognition of one another's struggles and joys. The line, "It is your life, which is so close to my own that I would not know where to drop the knife of separation," speaks to the profound bond between the speaker and their loved one. It underscores the idea that love is not just an emotional connection but a recognition of our shared humanity, our interdependence.

    Ultimately, Oliver brings the poem full circle by connecting the fire's need for oxygen to our own need for the "invisible gift: our purest, sweet necessity: the air." In this closing line, she ties everything together, reminding us that the air we breathe is not just a biological necessity but a precious, life-giving gift from the natural world. "Oxygen" encourages us to reflect on our relationship with nature, the bonds we share with loved ones, and the profound significance of the seemingly ordinary elements that sustain our existence. It reminds us that every breath we take is a reminder of our connection to the Earth and to each other, making the poem a beautiful ode to the beauty and wonder of life itself. I really enjoyed this poem as it caused me to feel a sense of gratification for the processes of life. There are fundamental aspects of our experience, and oxygen and our connection to nature is inevitable. Ultimately, Oliver emphasizes the connection of life; out of this poem and this idea, I found myself recognizing and appreciating the enormity of the world and of life. 



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mary Oliver Poem #5 "First Snow"

 Mary Oliver Poem #5: “First Snow” pg 371 Mary Oliver's "First Snow" speaks to me on a profoundly personal level, as if the poet is inviting me to join her in a contemplative journey through the magical landscape of the first snowfall. The poem opens with a sense of continuity, as the snow begins in the morning and persists throughout the day, its "white rhetoric everywhere" calling me back to fundamental questions about life's beauty and meaning. Mary Oliver’s use of language, describing the snow as having an "oracular fever," suggests a mysterious quality, as if the snow holds the answers to the questions it prompts. I find myself swept up in this peom, drawn into the dialogue between nature and reflection. The snow becomes not just a meteorological event but a medium for profound reflection, a silent communicator urging me to delve into the why, how, and whence of the beauty that surrounds us. As the snow continues its relentless descent, the im...
Read more

Mary Oliver Poem #4 "Praying"

 Mary Oliver Poem #4: “Praying”  Mary Oliver's poem "Praying" serves as a gentle guide to a more contemplative and grateful existence. Mary Oliver invites the reader, me in this case, to prayer. She explains what this can look like and debunks some myths surrounding prayer. She explains how prayer isn't confined to the grand or picturesque; it extends to the ordinary and overlooked elements of the world. The opening line, "It doesn't have to be the blue iris," immediately alleviates any pressure to seek out the traditionally beautiful or exceptional. Oliver encourages a shift in perspective, a willingness to recognize the divine in the everyday. Whether it's weeds in a vacant lot or a few small stones, the poet prompts me to pay attention to the often-dismissed details of my surroundings. The directive to "just pay attention" becomes a call to mindfulness, an invitation to be fully present in the moment. In doing so, I am prompted to engage...
Read more