One of the astonishing aspects of Oliver's work is the consistency of tone over this long period. What changes is an increased focus on nature and an increased precision with language that has made her one of our very best poets. --Stephen Dobyns, New York Times Book ReviewMary Oliver has published fifteen volumes of poetry and five books of prose in the span of four decades, but she rarely performs her poetry in live readings. Now, with the arrival of At Blackwater Pond, Mary Oliver has given her audience what they've longed to hear: the poet's voice reading her own work. In this beautifully produced compact disc, Mary Oliver has recorded forty of her favorite poems, nearly spanning the length of her career, from Dream Work through her newest volume, New and Selected Poems, Volume Two. The package is shrink-wrapped so that the elegant clothbound audiobook can takes its place on the poetry shelf. It also includes a fifteen-page booklet with an original essay, "Performance Note," photos of the author at Blackwater Pond, and a full listing of the poems and their sources.
Download and start listening now!
"What a treat to bring Mary Oliver via iPod on my walks in the Metropark . Her poems invite a deeper appreciation of nature and the gift of "Aha!" moments." — Dorothy (4 out of 5 stars)
"What a treat to bring Mary Oliver via iPod on my walks in the Metropark . Her poems invite a deeper appreciation of nature and the gift of "Aha!" moments."
Much of the work of the poet is a mystery, but the last labor is clear; it is the deliverance of the poem. Often this happens through a manuscript or a book, but it can occur in a vocal way also. Has everyone at some time looked up the original meaning of performance? It means, says Webster, 'to finish, to complete.' The poem is meant to be given away, best of all by the spoken presentation of it; then the work is complete. Which makes performance sound, does it not, like part of the life-work of the poem, which I think it is. As if the poem itself had an independent life, or the endless possibility of its own life, in minds other than the poet's, which I think it has.--Mary Oliver, from "Performance Note," an original essay first published in At Blackwater Pond
" Mary's voice is soothing and relaxing, I like her cadence and soft accent. "
" I so enjoyed each of her poems-so relaxing to listen to-easy going-familiar themes. Terrific!! "
" My first poetry book since college. "
" I can't say enough about Mary Oliver. Her soul finds the words to stir the souls of her readers. "
" Mary Oliver reads Mary Oliver? What's not to adore? "
" Another great collection of her poems read by the poet herself. I will be listening to this one again and again. "
" A nice contrast to Radio Disney! "
Mary Oliver (1935–2019), an American poet, was a winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. Over the course of her long and illustrious career, she received numerous awards.
Audiobooks Were Restored to Your Cart
[ShoppingCartItemsAddedOnMerge] audiobook(s) were left in your cart from a previous visit, and saved to your account for your convenience. You may view or remove these audiobooks on the shopping cart page.