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

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

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

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

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

Mary Oliver

I very much wished not to be noticed, and to be left alone, and I sort of succeeded.

Mary Oliver

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, Stay awhile.

Mary Oliver