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Winter Hours
Winter Hours: Prose, Prose Poems, and Poems | Mary Oliver
50 posts | 17 read | 20 to read
"What good company Mary Oliver is!" the Los Angeles Times has remarked. And never more so than in this extraordinary and engaging gathering of nine essays, accompanied by a brief selection of new prose poems and poems. (One of the essays has been chosen as among the best of the year by The Best American Essays 1998, another by The Anchor Essay Annual.) With the grace and precision that have won her legions of admirers, Oliver talks here of turtle eggs and housebuilding, of her surprise at the sudden powerful flight of swans, of the "thousand unbreakable links between each of us and everything else." She talks of her own poems and of some of her favorite poets: Poe, writing of "our unescapable destiny," Frost and his ability to convey at once that "everything is all right, and everything is not all right," the "unmistakably joyful" Hopkins, and Whitman, seeking through his poetry "the replication of a miracle." And Oliver offers us a glimpse as well of her "private and natural self -- something that must in the future be taken into consideration by any who would claim to know me."
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suvata
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Pickpick

Oliver‘s writing beautifully blurs the boundaries between the human and natural realms. In her graceful and precise style, Oliver discusses topics such as turtle eggs, housebuilding, unexpected whistling sounds, and the interconnectedness of all things. Her reflections on poetry and favorite poets, including Poe, Frost, Hopkins, and Whitman, add depth to this extraordinary and engaging work.

suvata #LMPBC Round19

Group C @bookwormjillk @wanderinglynn

@suvata will be mailing this book back in the next couple of days @TheBookHippie
9mo
IndoorDame Love this one!!! 9mo
suvata @IndoorDame I especially liked the section on Poe 9mo
IndoorDame @suvata definitely! 9mo
46 likes4 comments
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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Went for a walk in the snow then came home and read this while everyone else watched football. It was pretty perfect. #LMPBC will mail this week ❤️

TheBookHippie Oh how lovely!!! 10mo
suvata Beautiful picture 10mo
mcctrish I did the same, walk and then listened to my book while I Lego-ed. The boys in my house were happy with the Lions win 10mo
AnnCrystal ❄️😍 Pretty 💝. 10mo
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wanderinglynn
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Pickpick

I always love Mary Oliver. And this one was no exception. My favorites were Swoon, The Swan, & Winter Hours (which I strongly related to).

Christine, thanks for picking such this! 💚
Jill, I‘ll get this in the mail hopefully tomorrow!

#LMPBC

TheBookHippie I loved it so much!!! I‘m so glad you did as well! 🩶 10mo
Bookwormjillk Got it, thank you! 10mo
wanderinglynn @Bookwormjillk yay! ❄️ 10mo
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wanderinglynn
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Thanks Christine! I‘m looking forward to reading this. ❄️

#lmpbc

TheBookHippie Yay! 11mo
TheBookHippie I cheated a bit with the #naturalitsycardswap 🙃❄️ 11mo
wanderinglynn @TheBookHippie I think it was smart. 👍🏻 11mo
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suvata
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#LMPBC Round 19 - Group C is for Cold Weather

@bookwormjillk @suvata @TheBookHippie @wanderinglynn

Here‘s where we stand right now. I hope I got this right.

wanderinglynn 👍🏻👍🏻 12mo
TheBookHippie Yes! 12mo
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IndoorDame
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Pickpick

So in love with this little book! Definitely something I‘ll be returning to over the years.

She describes this as ‘parts of a conversation‘ ‘revealing, a little, my private and natural self‘. Which makes the subject matter in each of these pieces just as fascinating as the language used.

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IndoorDame
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It seems there are always more hidden poetic terms to learn #weirdwords @CBee

CBee Whoa, that‘s a mouthful! 2y
dabbe It's almost 11 syllables as a word! 🤣💙🤗 2y
IndoorDame @dabbe 🤣🤣🤣 2y
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IndoorDame
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In the intro to this book she talks about teaching at Bennington College, so I looked it up and learned I missed out on having her as a poetry professor by just 2 years!!! That could have been a life changing experience. I have no idea where she actually wrote this since most of the faculty isn‘t local, but now I‘m picturing her writing in in some farmhouse in the Green Mountains. #BookishMoodBoard Thanks for the tags @Eggs @AkashaVampie !

Eggs ❤️🥰💕 2y
DivineDiana Beautiful post. So close. But you did walk in her footsteps. ❤️ 2y
IndoorDame @DivineDiana that‘s a lovely way to look at it ❤️ 2y
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Aimeesue I‘m from the Berkshires - those foliage shots hit home. Sorry you missed her.❤️ (edited) 2y
IndoorDame @Aimeesue it‘s such a stunning area! ❤️ 2y
TheLudicReader Bennington seems to have churned out some masterful writers. I think that‘s where Donna Tartt, Brett Easton Ellis and Jonathan Lethem went, too. 2y
IndoorDame @TheLudicReader it has seemed to foster that 2y
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IndoorDame
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Reader, you may call what follows a collection of essays. #FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

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Robotswithpersonality
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Pickpick

Admittedly, parts of this volume were a reread as it turns out they were also included in Upstream: Selected Essays.
As always, what she has to say about nature compels me most, and about spirituality, least. She was (unsurprisingly) eloquent on the topic of humanity's relationship to nature and conservation. Liked her analysis of other poets.
Despite the risk of overlap, I will continue to read every collection my library has of her work.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Interconnectivity vs. anthropocentrism

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Robotswithpersonality
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Words have power, the way they are wielded makes all the difference.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Love the imagery of shelter for prey being the compassion of trees. 🌲💚
From 'Once', p. 32.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Happy to be enticed so skillfully.

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Robotswithpersonality
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Confirmed new hobby after several hours logged: erasing impudent pencil marks from LIBRARY books! 🙎🏼‍♂️😤

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Robotswithpersonality
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Swooning for this colour way.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
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Pickpick

This volume of poetry, prose, and poetry criticism is pure Mary Oliver. Every word considered, and every sentence crafted. She focuses on her own life, and her relationship to the natural world around her. Full of wonder, contentment, and sheer beauty.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2019

Cathythoughts Beautiful! Stacked 5y
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suzisteffen
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Pickpick

What a beautiful, stark, fierce little book of poetry and essays that are quite poetic. The last essay rather sums up Mary Oliver‘s life (especially before her partner died). Very East Coast, very bracing. 4.5 ⭐️ #poetry #essays

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suzisteffen
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Once, in Union, Maine, as we were passing a field, five birch trees became five white ponies. Their feet shuffled in the long grass; their white faces shone. This is called: happiness. This is called: stay away from me with your inches, and your savings accounts, and your plums in a jar. Your definitive anything. And if life is so various, so shifting, what could we possibly say of death, that black leaf, that has in it any believable finality?

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suzisteffen
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Mary Oliver:
“Meditations, moving toward an answer, may well profit from simple language and a definite, reliable pattern so that the reader may absorb carefully every step in the argument. Praise poems require no such step-by-step apparatus but may come to the reader as they are felt by the writer—in a rush, in a spray, in a tumble and gallop, a pressure, a fulsomeness, an abundance, the sharp hooves of happiness lifting and flashing.” #poetry

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suzisteffen
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Oh, Mary Oliver. #poetry #essays #nonfiction

“*Oh, yesterday, that one,* we all cried out. *Oh, that one!* How rich and possible everything was! How ripe, ready, lavish, and filled with excitement—how hopeful we were on those summer days, under the clean, white racing clouds. *Oh, yesterday!*”

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GatheringBooks
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#LiteraryLuck Day 1: This is my #TBRShelfie for March. First three books on top are just titles that I wanted to get to. Women Talking and Big Little Lies are for #WomenReadWomen2019 ReadAlong Chat and the last one is for my #IRLBookClub discussing The Weight Of Our Sky this March.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great choices!! 6y
BookmarkTavern The Seanan McGuire books are fantastic! 6y
greenhairdontcare I‘ve got both of those Seanan McGuire books on hold at the library. I should get them this month. 😁 Big Little Lies is great as well. 6y
vkois88 I need to read Big Little Lies and figure out if it's the book I've previously read by Moriarty 🤔 6y
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SW-T
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Pickpick

Tackling #MountTBR

Nice selection of prose and poetry. Oliver‘s work is lovely and relatable and speaks for itself.

#poetrymatters

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HardcoverHearts
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If, like me, you were waiting for payday or your library hold of Mary Oliver‘s work, then this may be a nice surprise. Not sure how long this deal will run, so jump on the ebook sale, if you are so inclined.

rather_be_reading yessss! ty! 6y
DivineDiana Thank you! Just downloaded! ❤️ 6y
readordierachel Thanks for the heads up! 6y
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KathyWheeler
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Pickpick

I checked this out after Mary Oliver died because I‘d never read her work. This book is a collection of mostly essays, and it‘s divided into 4 parts. The first and last two parts deal with her relationship to nature and how that influences her writing. The 2nd part was literary criticism, which I enjoyed but not as much.

suzisteffen Oooooh thank you. I didn‘t know about this book. I love essays and lit crit. 6y
KathyWheeler @suzisteffen Glad to help. I love essays as well. 6y
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KathyWheeler
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1/ There There by Tommy Orange, Winter Hours by Mary Oliver (ebook), and The Hanging Tree by Ben Aaronovitch (audiobook).
2/ tea
3/ Diet Coke

#WEEKENDREADS @rachelsbrittain

rachelsbrittain Thanks for joining in ☕😊 6y
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SW-T
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TiredLibrarian 💔🖤 6y
20 likes1 comment
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Booksnchill
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Rip Mary Oliver- you told about it.

Lindy Such good advice. Mary Oliver will not be forgotten. 6y
Booksnchill @Lindy ☄️🌟 6y
batsy ❤️ 6y
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Bradleygirl
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There's a lot of prose in this poetry book! But it's all still lovely. This is the last poem and Oliver does not disappoint. 😁
#Poemsbeforephones #poetry
@monalyisha @cocomass @Redwritinghood @DivineDiana #poetryreading

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Bradleygirl
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Redwritinghood Love her work! 💕💕 6y
Bradleygirl @Redwritinghood @monalyisha yes! I'm never disappointed with one of her collections. 🐧 6y
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kspenmoll
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#PoetryMatters #grace
You can have the other words-chance, luck,
serendipity. I‘ll take grace. I don‘t know
what it is exactly, but
I‘ll take it...

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katelucia
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staying cozy with Mary Oliver and sweet berries.

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Redwritinghood
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Thanks for another fantastic book giveaway, Liberty! I loved this book when I read it last month. You can probably tell by all the tabs I added. #SPRINGCLEANING

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BookishFeminist
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Mary Oliver's meditations are so healing. 💓

vivastory I love that quote 8y
Graciouswarriorprincess Love her and this quote!💕 8y
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BookishFeminist
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Food and book therapy. ❤️ Ribeye and meatball Thai noodle soup, rose bubble tea, and Mary Oliver cure every heartbreak. 🍜

#bookanddinner

BooksForEmpathy 😍😍😍. 8y
8little_paws 💗 8y
DebinHawaii Hugs. 💜💜💜 8y
See All 10 Comments
asiriusreader 💗💗💗 8y
NovelGirl82 💕💕💕💕 8y
LeahBergen ❤❤ That looks tasty! I hope it makes you feel even a little better. 8y
Sungirl79 Yum!! (edited) 8y
Chachic Yum! 8y
melbeautyandbooks Im sorry for your heartbreak. Sending positive, healing thoughts your way. ❤ 8y
156 likes10 comments
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Redwritinghood
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#feistyfeb #bestoffebruary Pretty good reading month in February. 👍🏻👍🏻

JoeStalksBeck Every time I see you screen name I smile . I love it ❤ 8y
Redwritinghood @GoodallBookHaul Thanks! I'm glad it makes you happy - me too. 8y
Reviewsbylola Great month! 🎉🎉 8y
Cinfhen Excellent month 💖🙌🏻💖 8y
rachellayown 👏👏👏 8y
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Redwritinghood
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Pickpick

It seems like you can't go wrong with Mary Oliver. I enjoyed this lovely, deeply introspective collection of essays and poems. I feel that she truly lives by her teachings "to observe with passion, to think with patience, to live always care-ingly." There is much to ponder and savor in this slim collection.

Suet624 She is a treasure. 8y
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Redwritinghood
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You know it's been a great party when your guests pass out on the sofa. I think it's time to call this #litsypartyofone done. Domino is not the only one ready for bed. Good night littens.

Laura317 😂poor Domino! 8y
54 likes1 comment
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Redwritinghood
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Trying to get this #litsypartyofone started, but everyone in my house is kinda crazy tonight. Must be the full moon. My reading buddy Domino is with me and my books, but even he looks doubtful that we can pull this off. #dogsoflitsy

valeriegeary That expression=priceless! 😂 8y
DogMomIrene Wow! His eyes are totally questioning. 💚💚💚 8y
Suzze He really does have a "really?" Look. Love it. 8y
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Louise He just needs a cuddle, and he'll settle down! ❤🐾❤🐾❤ 8y
kylienoele 😍😍😍😍 8y
Redwritinghood @Louise Oh, if only that would also work for my twins (15 yrs old), they're too cool for cuddles with mom now. 8y
DebinHawaii He's so cute! 🐶❤️ 8y
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Redwritinghood
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It just seems like the right time to start this one, don't ya think?

Zelma Perfect weather to cozy up with a book and blanket! 8y
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WanderingBookaneer
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We do not think of it every day, but we never forget it: the beloved shall grow old, or ill, and be taken away finally. No matter how ferociously we fight, how tenderly we love, how bitterly we argue, how pervasively we berate the universe, how cunningly we hide, this is what shall happen. In the wide circles of timelessness, everything material and temporal will fail, including the manifestation of the beloved.

DrexEdit 💔💜 8y
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WanderingBookaneer
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Suet624 Wait... how does this relate to Mary Oliver? (edited) 8y
WanderingBookaneer @Suet624 : She is writing about Poe, Frost, and a third poet I haven't gotten to yet. 8y
Suet624 I didn't realize she had written essays. I thought of her only as a poet. 8y
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WanderingBookaneer @Suet624 : She has several book of essays. Including, I'm told, her latest. 8y
Suet624 Thanks! 8y
BarbaraJean Hang on... THIRTEEN?!? 8y
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WanderingBookaneer
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WanderingBookaneer
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christineandbooks Could you recommend a good starting point for a book of Oliver's poetry for someone who is new to her? Thanks! 8y
WanderingBookaneer @christineandbooks : Felicity, published last year is excellent. 8y
christineandbooks Thanks... I will try it! 8y
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BookishFeminist
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Cleansing my brain with some more Mary Oliver. I have a feeling I will be reading a lot of her this year. 💓

saresmoore Ah, sounds nice to settle in for a warm, soothing Mary Oliver brain cleanse. 8y
Christine Yes, she will be essential this year!! 8y
jveezer You and me both. Glad you found her too... 8y
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LWagoner
Mehso-so

Mary Oliver has a wonderful way with words and blends the spirit and nature into so much of her writing. The part that was the slowest for me was the section where she wrote about various other poets. I liked this enough to be interested in reading more of her work.