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By Mark Zeiger, January 19, 2019

Thursday morning, I learned that the poet, Mary Oliver, had passed away at age 83.

Mary Oliver (Source: https://literary-arts.org/archive/mary-oliver/)

While I haven’t mentioned her in a while, Mary Oliver may be my favorite poet. I’ve talked about her a lot on this blog, including setting up a schedule to read her book, Twelve Moons, as a calendar—twice (see Mary Oliver’s Twelve Moons as Lunar Calendar).

The Homestead’s current collection of Mary Oliver books, not counting eBooks (Photo: Mark A. Zeiger).

Oliver’s work, much of which focused on observing and appreciating one’s place in Nature, appeal to us, and inspire the lifestyle we pursue. I think it’s fair to say Mary Oliver is the Zeiger Family Homestead’s primary poetic inspiration.

So, which of her poems have been on my mind since then?

Sleeping in the Forest, an obvious choice under the circumstances, as is When Death Comes. Sleeping in the Forest may have been my introduction to her work. The Lamps, possibly my favorite poem by her, should I be forced to chose just one.

But, I’m not sure. I’ll just have to read them all again . . . .

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By Mark Zeiger, December 30, 2017

Earlier in the winter, when a blog follower expressed interest in an old project of mine, I pulled it out, dusted it off, and updated it for her. Now that it’s all set, I’ll post it for anyone else interested in a new project for 2018: reading Mary Oliver’s book of poems, Twelve Moons (paid link), as a lunar calendar.

(Image: Amazon.com)

I have done this myself twice, so far. The first time, in 2011, (see Mary Oliver’s Twelve Moons as Lunar Calendar) I blogged about most of the poems, sometimes dedicating a whole post to one, sometimes merely pointing out that it was time to read the next poem. In posting for 2018, I’ve added links to the corresponding posts that discuss a poem in some way, sharing with you whatever thoughts I had at that time. So, when you click on the linked titles, please don’t expect to find the poem itself posted on line!

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