|
Poet: Mary Oliver
Poem: When Death Comes
Poem of the Day on:
Nov 30 2003
Comment 13 of 13, added on July 20th, 2006 at 6:46 AM.
This is a poem that does throw the reader. The images at the beginning seem not to connect, with the strongest lines of her wonderment of going through the doors of death. However, the lines and images do all work together. Death is never an easy subject, especially if there has been a recent departing in one's circle of friends or family. Poets take on the challenge of giving a framework of emotions that help heal--or to at least to ponder.
I would encourage everyone not to rush through this poem, but try to join the poet as she weaves her journey to the unknown. You may also want to read Langston Hughes' "Dear Lovely Death". It is a poem that I find myself reading many times.
dallas from United States
Comment 12 of 13, added on July 19th, 2006 at 10:46 PM.
In Mary Oliver poems there are always questions (sans punctuation marks). This is an important part of the pleasure in reading her work. The questions are private, personal, and little surprises that awaken your imagination. Rewarding and thoughtful.
Sunny Bartholomew from United States
Comment 11 of 13, added on May 2nd, 2006 at 11:49 AM.
Wow. This poem is horrible. The poet uses boring, cliched adjectives and never reaches a point. Is it a stroy? What she's thinking about? A bunch of random statements about death? I don't know. She seems to change her standpoint on death too. I'd say this creatively challenged poet was in it for the money but I can't see a poet making a lot of money.
Randy William Rhoads from United States
Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, When Death Comes, has received 13 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Mary Oliver with others on the Poetry Connection poetry forum!
|
This is a poem that does throw the reader. The images at the beginning seem not to connect, with the strongest lines of her wonderment of going through the doors of death. However, the lines and images do all work together. Death is never an easy subject, especially if there has been a recent departing in one's circle of friends or family. Poets take on the challenge of giving a framework of emotions that help heal--or to at least to ponder.
I would encourage everyone not to rush through this poem, but try to join the poet as she weaves her journey to the unknown. You may also want to read Langston Hughes' "Dear Lovely Death". It is a poem that I find myself reading many times.
dallas from United States