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Aug 14, 2017 · Wild Geese. by Mary Oliver. You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees. for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body. love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on.
- Summary
- Structure
- Poetic Techniques
- Detailed Analysis
- Historical Context
- Similar Poetry
In short, ‘Wild Geese‘ is a poem, written by Mary Oliver, that expresses what one must do in order to lead a good life. The speaker, presumably Oliver, is talking directly to her reader, imploring them to not worry so much about being good; rather, the reader should be true to nature and the beauty found in it. Throughout the poem, Oliver uses the ...
Structurally, there is not much to the poem. It is comprised of only one stanzaand eighteen lines. The simplicity of its structure seems to reflect the themes of nature that are so prevalent throughout the work. ‘Wild Geese’ is written in free verse, but Oliver does make use of half-rhyme. This is seen through the repetition of assonance or consona...
Oliver makes use of several poetic techniques in ‘Wild Geese.’ These include repetition, alliteration, enjambment, and anaphora. The latter, repetition, is the use and reuse of a specific technique, word, tone, or phrase within a poem. There are clear examples from the first two lines with the phrase “You do not have to,” as well as in the structur...
Lines 1-2
The poem begins with the speaker talking directly to the reader. Oliver writes, “You do not have to be good,” and she follows with, “You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.” These first lines create what feels like guidelines on living one’s life. Oliver then tells the reader what they should not be doing—trying to be morally good or repenting sins through punishment and penance.
Lines 3-5
In the following lines of ‘Wild Geese,’ the speaker informs the reader that he or she only needs to turn to nature and follow their heart. She writes, “You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.” She seems to be reminding her reader that they are human, yes, but they are still an animal who needs to survive and thrive, just as other animals in nature do. In line six, she begins a two-way conversationwith her reader.
Lines 6-9
She implores, “Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine,” as if she wants to commiserate with her reader on the more unfortunate experiences of life. The “you” in these lines read more broadly a human “you” rather than a singular person. She is promoting larger interconnectivity between humans and non-human natures. Her next line is sobering: “Meanwhile, the world goes on.” Oliver is reminding her reader that regardless of what is happening in one’s life, time will not stop. The...
As ‘Wild Geese’ focuses completely on nature, there does not seem to be much historical analysis to be applied to this poem. However, its reproduction in Wild Geesein 2004 does seem quite timely: the world, particularly the United States, was going through a tumultuous time. The years immediately after September 11, 2001, were filled with devastati...
Readers who enjoyed ‘Wild Geese’ should also consider reading some other Mary Oliver poems. 1. ‘Flare‘ – a beautiful poem that asks the reader to leave the past behind and live in the more important present. 2. ‘I Worried‘ – explores anxiety, overthinking, and worrying about everything, even though this never helps the situation. 3. ‘Morning Poem‘ ...
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One of Oliver’s most beloved bird-themed poems is "Wild Geese". In this timeless piece, she encourages us to embrace our true selves and find solace in nature. With each line, Oliver’s words take flight, carrying us on a journey of self-discovery and acceptance: Wild Geese. You do not have to be good.
Oct 2, 2023 · “Wild Geese” by Mary Oliver is a poetic masterpiece that resonates with readers across generations. Through its simplicity and eloquence, the poem transcends the boundaries of time and culture ...
Mar 23, 2022 · for a hundred miles through the desert repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body. love what it loves. Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine. Meanwhile the world goes on. Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain. are moving across the landscapes, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains ...
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Feb 2, 2024 · In conclusion, Mary Oliver’s “Wild Geese” is a poetic masterpiece that transcends its brevity to offer a profound exploration of self-acceptance. Through accessible language and vivid imagery, the poem extends an empathetic invitation to individuals grappling with personal struggles, assuring them of their rightful place in the larger ...
And nowhere is the dosage of this sensation more concentrated than in the poems of Mary Oliver. The Pulitzer Prize–winning Mary Oliver has lived in Provincetown, Massachusetts (a tiny village on the tip of a tiny cape on the edge of a tiny state), since the 1960s. She sets most of her poems in the wooded, pond-studded acres that surround her ...
