And I say to my heart: rave on.

Mary Oliver

You must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.

Mary Oliver

I don't ask for the sights in front of me to change, only the depth of my seeing.

Mary Oliver

The dream of my life is to lie down by a slow river and stare at the light in the trees - to learn something by being nothing.

Mary Oliver

Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.

Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began....

Mary Oliver

I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.

Mary Oliver

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.

Mary Oliver

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver

I simply do not distinguish between work and play.

Mary Oliver

Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.

Mary Oliver

To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.

Mary Oliver