Mary Oliver

LitCharts guides for works by Mary Oliver

Explore LitCharts poetry guides for works by Mary Oliver. Each guide offers line-by-line analysis, exploration of poetic devices, and helpful resources for studying Mary Oliver's poetry.

Good-Bye Fox

"Good-Bye Fox" is American poet Mary Oliver's witty reflection on the relationship between humanity and the natural world. Through a conversation with a fox, the poem's speaker learns that people c... view guide

The Black Walnut Tree

"The Black Walnut Tree" was written by the American poet Mary Oliver and first published in her 1979 collection, Twelve Moons. In the poem, which is usually read as being autobiographical, the spea... view guide

The Journey

Mary Oliver's "The Journey" first appeared in her 1963 collection No Voyage and Other Poems. The poem is about the importance of taking charge of one's own life and leaving behind negative influenc... view guide

The Summer Day

“The Summer Day” is a short poem by the American poet Mary Oliver, first published in her collection House of Light (1990). Its speaker wonders about the creation of the world and then has a close,... view guide

Wild Geese

The American poet Mary Oliver published "Wild Geese" in her seventh collection, Dream Work, which came out in 1986. The poem's speaker urges readers to open themselves up to the beauty of nature. W... view guide