Mary Oliver's Quotes

We all have a hungry heart, and one of the things we hunger for is happiness. So as much as I possibly could, I stayed where I was happy.

Mary Oliver

Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that.

Mary Oliver

Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it began as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.

Mary Oliver

One thing I do know is that poetry, to be understood, must be clear.

Mary Oliver

People want poetry. They need poetry. They get it. They don't want fancy work.

Mary Oliver

Poetry is meant to be heard.

Mary Oliver

Instead of taking the reader by the hand and running him down the hill, I want to lead him into a house of many rooms, and leave him alone in each of them.

Mary Oliver