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Analysis and comments on When Death Comes by Mary Oliver

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Comment 5 of 15, added on April 16th, 2005 at 9:12 PM.

This poem is by far touching. It really hit home. My step son's grandfather passed away a year ago today. This poem really express how death feels when you loose a loved one.
Violet

Violet from United States
Comment 4 of 15, added on April 10th, 2005 at 1:43 AM.

Yes, the ending leaves one hanging, (as does Death, so it seems) But I love this poem for these two lines especially:
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
How much time we waste trying to Be Something, Do Something, and miss out on Living. What she wants is to live Her life fully,embracing it as a bridegroom!

Nanci from United States
Comment 3 of 15, added on January 23rd, 2005 at 8:35 PM.

Yes, a brilliant stirring poem and I agree ( it feels so sacriligious) that the last line does not serve the effort. But is is only a minor flaw in an otherwise perfect diamond.

Cathy Wilson from United States
Comment 2 of 15, added on December 6th, 2004 at 11:17 PM.

We used this poem today in a professional development session for teachers. We found the quality of the poem to be excellent and a great example of the use of similes. Although the subject matter is a little jarring, we thought it fit in well with other literary pieces we have read, especially "5 People You meet In Heaven", which had been shown as a t.v. movie the night before. Congratulations, Ms. Oliver!!!!

Gary J Moore from United States
Comment 1 of 15, added on December 5th, 2004 at 7:01 AM.

A very moving poem, even though I found the last line somewhat jarring. After shedding or dismissing all the trivialities of life, she ends with the rather pedestrian, "I don't want to end up having simply visited this world." It's a common sentiment to be sure, but it neither flows from the preceding verses nor is expressed in a very poetic way. Except for what I feel is a flat-footed ending, it's a brilliant poem. Do you disagree?

Michael Philips from United States

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Information about When Death Comes

Poet: Mary Oliver
Poem: When Death Comes
Added: Feb 20 2003
Viewed: 37562 times
Poem of the Day: Nov 30 2003


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