Blue Iris: Poems and Essays

By Mary Oliver

Book Overview

For poet Mary Oliver, nature is full of mystery and miracle. From the excitation of birds in the sky to the flowers and plants that are "the simple garments" of the earth, the natural world is her text of both the earth's changes and its permanence.

In Blue Iris, Mary Oliver collects ten new poems, two dozen of her poems written over the last two decades, and two previously unpublished essays on the beauty and wonder of plants. The poet considers roses, of course, as well as poppies and peonies; lilies and morning glories; the thick-bodied black oak and the fragrant white pine; the tall sunflower and the slender bean.

James Dickey has said of her, "Far beneath the surface-flash of linguistic effect, Mary Oliver works her quiet and mysterious spell. It is a true spell, unlike any other poet's, the enchantment of the true maker." In Blue Iris, she has captured with breathtaking clarity the true enchantment and mysterious spell of flowers and plants of all sorts and their magnetic hold on us.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0807068829
• ISBN13: 9780807068823
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Beacon Press
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.5" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Great seller!

The book I ordered was in superb shape, arrived fast, and was packaged well. What more can a buyer want? Oh yeah . . . it was at a bargain price too! Thanks much!

Blue Iris

This is my very favorite Mary Oliver poem book. I have several and this just takes my breath away at times. My gratitude to her for sharing such soul beauty with us.

Inspiring and beautiful!

In this collection Mary Oliver focuses on nature: flowers, grass, birds, bugs, smells and colors. The reader becomes aware about the beauty of life and the wonders of being alive. Joyce Akesson, Love's Thrilling Dimensions

Blooming praise

Mary Oliver invites attention, calls forth attending the blossoms along life's way whatever the terrain. As she writes her way into her own wholeness she assures me mine is possible. Being real with gratitude is what the Grand Mystery draws us into if we live awake.

loved it, and loving it

A friend introduced me to Mary Oliver's work a couple of months ago and I couldn't be more thankful. Since then, her keen perception and gentle presentation of what's felt deep within have touched me like a friend whom one only wishes to have known earlier, much earlier. When Blue Iris was released I could hardly wait to open the first page; and it has answered every minute of such anticipation. The vivid imagery is familiar from her previously published work. However, what struck me the most is the sensitivity in each poem or essay -- so touchable that I found myself using care when turning each page. This book is wonderful to read from cover to cover, but also a delight if one is in between things and only has time to read a couple of pages. There is always something new in and between the lines to see, smell, touch ... and feel and dream about. and such connections linger even after the book is closed -- through these poems and essays, my heart feels larger and my eyes brighter.