Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese" was initially published in 2004 in her collection of poems entitled Wild Geese: Selected Poems. "Wild Geese," one of Oliver's most celebrated and well-known poems, is a significant part of that collection.
Much of Oliver's work focuses on nature and the creatures that inhabit it. Oliver was a notoriously private woman. She very rarely gave reviews to the media, saying that she preferred to let her work do the talking for her. But when Oliver did speak with the media, she revealed quite a bit about her personal life. For one, she grew up in a difficult home and found writing as a way to cope. She also found the woods, where she escaped and found inspiration. The time Oliver spent in the woods was a meditative experience for her; it was later reflected in her work, including "Wild Geese," which is a meditation on what it means to be human (but told from the perspective of wild geese). The poem also reflects what someone must do to lead a good and positive life.
Although Oliver won her Pulitzer Prize nearly twenty years before the release of "Wild Geese" and Wild Geese: Selected Poems, the quality of her work remained consistent throughout her long and storied career. Though the collection is out of print, it remains one of Oliver's most popular and enduring works.
"Wild Geese" has become one of Oliver's most popular poems and has been widely anthologized and shared. Its imagery of wild geese and the natural world, along with its themes of freedom, finding one's place in the world and the possibility of transformation have resonated with readers. The poem's message of hope and the idea that "you only have to let the soft animal of your body / love what it loves" have made it a favorite among many readers.
The poem has also been interpreted as a reflection on the human condition, with the wild geese serving as a metaphor for the human experience of longing for freedom and connection. Oliver's use of nature as a source of inspiration and wisdom is a consistent theme throughout her work, and "Wild Geese" is a prime example of this.
Oliver's work has also been praised for its simplicity and accessibility. Her poems are often short, with simple language and imagery, but they pack a powerful emotional punch. This simplicity is one of the reasons why so many readers have embraced Oliver's work and why her poems continue to be shared and passed down from generation to generation.
Overall, "Wild Geese" is considered a classic of American poetry and continues to be celebrated for its powerful message and timeless themes. It is a powerful representation of Oliver's work and her unique perspective on the natural world and the human experience.
