'When Death Comes' by Mary Oliver
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When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purseto buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-poxwhen death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.When it's over, I want to say all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
Editor 1 Interpretation
When Death Comes by Mary Oliver: A Deep Dive into Life and Mortality
If you are looking for a poem that will shake you to your core and make you contemplate your own mortality, then Mary Oliver's "When Death Comes" is the perfect choice. This masterpiece explores the inevitable reality of death and what it means to truly live. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the depths of Oliver's words and uncover the hidden meanings behind her powerful words.
The Poem: An Overview
"When Death Comes" is a free verse poem, meaning that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter pattern. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza exploring a different aspect of life and death. Oliver uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her message and create a sense of urgency in the reader.
The first stanza introduces the concept of death and how it affects our perception of life. Oliver starts by stating that "When death comes / like the hungry bear in autumn." This metaphorical comparison of death with a hungry bear is both powerful and haunting. It implies that death is a force to be reckoned with, just like a bear hunting for food. Oliver then goes on to describe how we should approach death - with curiosity and openness. She encourages us to "let [death] come" and to "meet [it] at the door laughing." This is a powerful message that reminds us that death is not something to fear, but rather something to embrace as a natural part of life.
The second stanza of the poem explores what it means to truly live. Oliver reminds us that life is short and that we must make the most of the time we have. She states that "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world." This line is a powerful reminder that life is not just about existing, but about truly experiencing everything the world has to offer. Oliver encourages us to "be the bridegroom, [and] be the groom," reminding us that we should be fully present and engaged in every moment of our lives.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. Oliver urges us to "tell me, what is it you plan to do / with your one wild and precious life?" This line is a powerful reminder that life is not something to be wasted. We must make the most of our time and pursue our passions and dreams. Oliver reminds us that life is a precious gift, and we should use it wisely.
The Themes: Life, Death, and the Human Condition
At its core, "When Death Comes" is a meditation on life, death, and the human condition. Oliver uses vivid imagery and metaphors to explore these themes and encourage us to think deeply about our own lives.
One of the most powerful themes of the poem is the idea that death is a natural part of life. Oliver urges us to embrace death and to treat it with curiosity and openness. She reminds us that death is not something to fear, but rather something to accept as a natural part of the cycle of life.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of living life to the fullest. Oliver reminds us that life is short and that we must make the most of the time we have. She encourages us to be fully present and engaged in every moment of our lives, and to pursue our passions and dreams with vigor.
Finally, "When Death Comes" is a powerful meditation on the human condition. Oliver reminds us that we are all mortal beings, and that our time on this earth is limited. She encourages us to think deeply about our lives and to consider what we want to achieve before our time runs out.
The Language: Vivid Imagery and Powerful Metaphors
One of the most striking features of "When Death Comes" is the vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that Oliver uses to convey her message. From the comparison of death with a hungry bear in autumn to the idea of being the bridegroom and the groom, Oliver's words are both powerful and haunting.
Oliver's use of language is particularly effective in the second stanza, where she encourages us to live life to the fullest. She uses a series of metaphors to convey the idea that life is a precious gift that we must cherish. For example, she states that "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world / I want to feel the heat of the sun on my face." This metaphorical comparison of life to a visit to the world is both powerful and poignant. It reminds us that life is not just about existing, but about truly experiencing everything the world has to offer.
The Interpretation: A Call to Action
At its core, "When Death Comes" is a call to action. Oliver encourages us to take control of our lives and to make the most of the time we have. She reminds us that life is short and that we must pursue our passions and dreams with vigor.
The poem is a powerful reminder that death is not something to fear, but rather something to accept as a natural part of the cycle of life. Oliver encourages us to approach death with curiosity and openness, and to embrace it as a natural part of our journey.
Finally, "When Death Comes" is a meditation on the human condition. Oliver reminds us that we are all mortal beings, and that our time on this earth is limited. She encourages us to think deeply about our lives and to consider what we want to achieve before our time runs out.
Conclusion
"When Death Comes" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. Oliver's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of urgency in the reader and encourages us to think deeply about our own lives. The poem is a call to action, urging us to take control of our lives and to make the most of the time we have. It is a powerful reminder that life is short, and that we must pursue our passions and dreams with vigor.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When Death Comes: A Poetic Exploration of Life and Mortality
Mary Oliver’s “When Death Comes” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, mortality, and the inevitability of death. The poem is a reflection on the author’s own mortality and her desire to live a full and meaningful life before she passes away. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Oliver invites the reader to contemplate their own mortality and to embrace the beauty and fragility of life.
The Poem
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct theme and tone. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and establishes the author’s perspective on life and death. The second stanza is a reflection on the beauty and fragility of life, while the third stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to live their life to the fullest.
Stanza One
In the first stanza, Oliver reflects on the inevitability of death and the fear that it can inspire in people. She begins by stating that “When death comes / like the hungry bear in autumn”, suggesting that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, much like the changing of the seasons. She goes on to describe the fear that death can inspire, saying that “I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering: / what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?”.
This fear of the unknown is a common theme in literature and art, and Oliver captures it perfectly in this stanza. She acknowledges the fear that many people feel when faced with the prospect of death, but she also suggests that there is a sense of curiosity and wonder that can accompany it. By framing death as a natural part of life, she encourages the reader to embrace it and to approach it with a sense of curiosity and openness.
Stanza Two
The second stanza is a reflection on the beauty and fragility of life. Oliver uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world and the cycles of life and death that are a part of it. She describes the “golden wings” of the grasshopper and the “delicate feet” of the mouse, highlighting the beauty and intricacy of even the smallest creatures.
She goes on to describe the fragility of life, saying that “the flowers / bend their bright bodies, and tip their fragrance to the air, / and rise, / their red stems holding all that dampness and recklessness / gladly and lightly”. This imagery suggests that life is fleeting and fragile, but also beautiful and full of wonder.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza is a call to action, urging the reader to live their life to the fullest. Oliver writes that “I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world”. This line is a powerful reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time that we have. She goes on to say that “I want to feel the light of the sun, / I want to be in the rushing water of the river, / I want to smell the pine needles baking in the sun, / I want to taste the air, / I want to live my life so that I can say: / I lived”.
This stanza is a powerful call to action, urging the reader to embrace life and to live it to the fullest. Oliver suggests that we should not simply exist in the world, but should actively engage with it and experience all that it has to offer. By doing so, we can live a full and meaningful life and leave a lasting legacy.
Analysis
Oliver’s “When Death Comes” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, mortality, and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Oliver invites the reader to contemplate their own mortality and to embrace the beauty and fragility of life.
One of the key themes of the poem is the inevitability of death. Oliver acknowledges that death is a natural and inevitable part of life, much like the changing of the seasons. By framing death in this way, she encourages the reader to approach it with a sense of curiosity and openness, rather than fear and dread.
Another important theme of the poem is the beauty and fragility of life. Oliver uses vivid imagery to describe the natural world and the cycles of life and death that are a part of it. She suggests that life is fleeting and fragile, but also beautiful and full of wonder. This imagery encourages the reader to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and to embrace life with a sense of wonder and awe.
Finally, the poem is a call to action, urging the reader to live their life to the fullest. Oliver suggests that we should not simply exist in the world, but should actively engage with it and experience all that it has to offer. By doing so, we can live a full and meaningful life and leave a lasting legacy.
Conclusion
Mary Oliver’s “When Death Comes” is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, mortality, and the inevitability of death. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Oliver invites the reader to contemplate their own mortality and to embrace the beauty and fragility of life. The poem is a reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of the time that we have. By embracing life with a sense of wonder and awe, we can live a full and meaningful life and leave a lasting legacy.
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