Mary Oliver’s poetry has long been celebrated for its profound connection to nature, but her collection “Dog Songs” offers a unique and deeply moving exploration of the sacred found not just in the wild, but in the everyday lives of our canine companions. This collection, as analyzed here, delves into the mystical through the lens of ordinary moments, reminding readers of the “ordinary holiness” present in the world around us and within the bonds we share with animals. The poems in “Dog Songs” achieve this by focusing on the simple beingness of a dog, the love between creatures, and the inherent sacredness of nature itself.
The Poetry Teacher: A Choice for the Wild
One of the most striking poems, “The Poetry Teacher,” illustrates Oliver’s commitment to valuing the wild and the simple over societal expectations of elegance and materialism. When faced with a choice between a new, elegant classroom and an old one where she could bring her dog, Ben, Oliver chose the latter. She created an open, welcoming space, allowing Ben and other dogs to join her students, transforming the classroom into a vibrant hub of learning and canine companionship. This choice highlights her belief that true education and inspiration can be found not in superficial comforts, but in embracing the messy, joyful reality of life, including the presence of animals.
The Storm (Bear): Expressing the Body’s Pleasures
In “The Storm (Bear),” Oliver observes her dog, Bear, romping through the snow. The poem captures the unadulterated joy of physical existence as Bear’s movements in the snow are described as “large, exuberant letters, a long sentence, expressing the pleasures of the body in this world.” This simple yet profound observation echoes ancient Taoist wisdom, suggesting that direct experience and being are often more meaningful than abstract intellectual constructs. Bear’s actions are not an interpretation of reality, but a pure expression of it, a concept that challenges our human tendency to overanalyze and verbalize.
Little Dog’s Rhapsody In The Night: The Sweetness of Reciprocal Love
The intimacy shared between Oliver and her dog is tenderly depicted in “Little Dog’s Rhapsody In The Night.” The poem captures the dog’s expressive sounds and a moment of vulnerability as he turns upside down, his “eyes dark and fervent,” and asks, “Tell me you love me… Tell me again.” Oliver’s response, “Could there be a sweeter arrangement? Over and over he gets to ask. I get to tell,” beautifully encapsulates the simple, reciprocal nature of love between humans and their pets. This exchange underscores the profound connection that can exist, a testament to the “sacred” in the realm of relationships.
How It Begins: The Genesis of Longing
“How It Begins” touches upon the initial stages of a dog’s life, from a litter of puppies to a single “bundle of longing” chosen by a human. This poem speaks to the inherent desire for connection that motivates both dogs and humans, and the moment of “I want this one” that cements a lifelong bond. It’s a poignant reminder of how these relationships are formed and the deep-seated needs they fulfill.
Percy, Waiting for Ricky: The Examined Life vs. Pure Being
In “Percy, Waiting for Ricky,” Oliver contemplates the “examined life” as described by Emerson, contrasting it with the unburdened existence of her dog, Percy. She wonders, “How would it be to be Percy, I wonder, not thinking, not weighing anything, just running forward.” This reflection highlights the human tendency to overthink and get caught up in our own internal narratives, while dogs often embody a state of pure, present-moment awareness. The poem suggests a longing for that simpler, more direct way of experiencing the world.
A Bad Day: Shared Imperfection
“A Bad Day” offers a humorous yet insightful dialogue between Oliver and her dog, Ricky, who is misbehaving due to a series of perceived slights throughout the day. Ricky’s grievances—a forgotten outing, a late dinner, a short walk—culminate in his destructive behavior. The poem’s punchline, “Honestly, what do you expect? Like you I’m not perfect, I’m only human,” is a powerful reminder of shared imperfection and the inherent “humanity”—or perhaps, “animality”—that connects us all. This poem extends the notion of the sacred to encompass not just the perfect, but the flawed and relatable aspects of all living beings.
Her Grave: Embracing Nature’s Laws and Love’s Unshakeable Power
The collection culminates with the deeply moving poem “Her Grave,” a meditation on loss, nature, and the profound love for a departed dog. Oliver recounts the visceral experience of her dog’s presence—her return from the bog, her “hideous and wonderful smile,” the warmth of her body. The poem grapples with ownership, asserting that just as one does not own the rain or trees, one does not truly own a dog. They are part of a larger, natural order, connected to “the laws which pertain to them.” Through reflections on a hummingbird’s throat, cranes’ calls, a bear’s slumber, and a water snake’s tunnel, Oliver emphasizes that nature’s creations are not solely products of individual imagination but are intrinsic parts of the world’s “infallible energies.” The burial under the pines becomes a final, apt resting place, and the poem concludes with a powerful acceptance of loss and an overwhelming sense of love: “Finally, the slick mountains of love break over us.”
“Dog Songs” is more than just a collection of poems about dogs; it is a profound invitation to recognize the mystical, the sacred, and the deeply interconnected nature of life in the most ordinary of beings and moments.
