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 imagery of an "energy it seemed would never ebb, never settle less than lovely!" resonates deeply with me. I can almost feel the transformative power of the snowfall, as if it's washing away the mundane and inviting me to witness something extraordinary.

With the arrival of night, the poem shifts to a scene of immense silence. The heavens, described as holding "a million candles," evoke a sense of celestial grandeur. The absence of the expected stars, moon, and darkness adds a touch of the surreal, heightening the poem's magical atmosphere. It's as if the snow has ushered in a new reality, one where the ordinary is transformed into something otherworldly.

The imagery of trees as "castles of ribbons," fields smoldering with light, and a creekbed heaped with shining hills creates a vivid picture of a world aglow with the aftermath of the snowfall. These descriptions use such imagery that it is hard to ignore the visuals that appear in my head while reading this piece. They seem to turn the familiar into something magical and awe-inspiring.

As the poet walks into the silence and light under the trees, through the fields, I feel a sense of resolution and fulfillment. Despite the unanswered questions that have lingered throughout the day, there is a sense of peace in the act of walking amidst the post-snowfall serenity. It's a personal journey, a communion with nature that brings solace and a deeper connection to the mysteries that permeate our existence.

"First Snow" encourages me to embrace the extraordinary in the ordinary, to seek meaning in the contemplative moments that nature offers. Mary Oliver's words resonate as an invitation to embark on a personal exploration of beauty, meaning, and the transformative power of the natural world, finding solace and joy in the simple act of walking through a snow-covered landscape.