Poems on Mary Oliver by Top Critiquers

Mary Oliver in Edo Period Japan

lived as a subordinate  
  tending family land;    
 
circumvented convention  
 when blood-letting  
 into slump-soiled cherry roots;  
each blossom's scarlet-stained  
 heart worn on its pink sleeve;  
 
groomed blue horses without fences  
  dazzling over squash-colored fields—  
counted five species of mimicking loons  
  drowning tadpole voices  
  down woodland throats;  
    
 remained alone after best-  
 friend Ai was purchased  
  by an...