Posted on by Sonia Dogra

Author Trial and Mary Oliver’s Wisdom

Dear Reader,

The latest addition to my library is Devotions (The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver) from 1963-2015. I received the book yesterday afternoon and by the evening I was turning pages, picking up random poems, playing a page-number game. I felt like a child constantly sticking my fingers in my favourite chocolate cake and yet unable to have enough of it. I haven’t felt this way about a book in ages. I find myself flipping between stories, barely able to distinguish one flavour from another. In that sense, Mary Oliver comes as a sigh of relief.

It makes me think of my own writing and my debut middle grade fiction that was released on 15 October. As a writer what I fear most is my work falling into the abyss of banality. Every time someone texts to tell me they’ve bought the book, I begin to wonder what if !

This morning, I came across a post by Elif Shafak, in which she contemplates if we’d still write or create if there were no audience. I’ve done that for a long time in my life, filling diaries with poems and musings and what not! It was my favourite pastime growing up. Nobody read my poems, sometimes I sent some to magazines and papers. A few were accepted, but the rest were mailed back, accompanied or unaccompanied by a critique. None of this mattered. I’m not sure it’s the same anymore. The world is slowly turning into a circus and we all want to be the stars and not extras. That is also what Shafak suggests – that it is only natural to want readers.

But then, I open Oliver on page sixty and she writes… I Own a House

I own a house, small but comfortable. In it is a bed, a desk, a kitchen, a closet, a telephone. And so forth—you know how it is: things collect.

Outside the summer clouds are drifting by, all of them with vague and beautiful faces. And there are the pines that bush out spicy and ambitious, although they do not even know their names. And there is the mockingbird; over and over he rises from his thorn-tree and dances—he actually dances, in the air. And there are days I wish I owned nothing, like the grass.

Oh, for Mary Oliver’s wisdom. Only if!

A sense of ownership evokes a feeling of needing to be read. But how lovely would it be to believe that I no longer own my words once they have left me. How that would set me free! Like the grass. Only if!

From Elif Shafak to Mary Oliver and from one writer friend to another- I believe our viewpoints are largely formed by the times we live in, the company we keep and the paths of our personal beliefs.

For now, I’m going ahead with Shafak while holding on tight to Oliver’s wisdom. We are doing a small book launch for Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life at the Gaiety Theatre, Shimla on 8 November at 2.30 PM, IST. It’s a good time to be in the city and I’d be thrilled if you could join me.

Also, November has been declared the Young Birders’ Month in India to introduce children to the bright and fascinating world of birds. Do you know that Kuhu enjoys drawing just about anything, but her favourite is birds? She also loves watching them from her window seat in the classroom. If you want to know more fun facts about her, consider purchasing the book at the following link.

Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life

Until we meet again, stay safe and happy!

This post is part of Bookish League Blog Hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile

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26 Replies to “Author Trial and Mary Oliver’s Wisdom”

  1. This resonated deeply with me. That tension between writing for oneself and the longing to be read is something I grapple with too, and Mary Oliver’s “like the grass” wisdom feels both liberating and elusive.

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  2. Congratulations again! 🌼

    That beautiful piece from the book!

    I used to write only for myself, but honestly it has changed over time. Maybe because I now write for others, for approvals, for money. Writing when nobody is reading feels a little sad. Still, inside my (always occupied) head, I carry so many stories, mostly love stories, that I rarely write, if that counts.

    Best wishes, always.

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  3. Very thought-provoking post. I have been writing for my own eyes only for years, before I started posting it online.

    And congratulations on the book release! All the best to you!

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  4. The question Elif asked you is what I needed this morning. Would I write if I didnt have an audience? I still dont have an answer for myself, but it shook out the dragging dredges of lethargy from my mind and spirit, and thank you for that.

    Your review is inspirational and I love how you choose to combine wisdom and inspiration to deal with life. This book of poem is definitely part of my TBR, and will get to it soon.

    Looking forward to reading Kuhu’s world and your words.

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  5. Your take on Mary Oliver’s wisdom and the writing journey feels so relatable. Her words feel like a quiet nudge in the right direction, and you captured that beautifully

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  6. Congratulations Sonia, once again on bringing out Kuhu.
    It’s complicated – the need to write and the need to be read. One can argue that there’s little point in writing of no one reading it, but then there definitely is pleasure in writing for writing’s sake.

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  7. I think I read this post earlier, and forgot to comment. So apologies for that!

    This is such a beautiful post. I want to frame the following quote.

    “A sense of ownership evokes a feeling of needing to be read. But how lovely would it be to believe that I no longer own my words once they have left me. How that would set me free! Like the grass. Only if!”

    The question of why we write, I think, is easier to answer than why we publish….

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  9. Congratulations on your book. Sometimes, I also wonder if I would write if I didn’t have anyone to read my words. It’s a tough call, but I like the word in spite of everything. Wishing you more reading and more writing.

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  10. The poem from Devotions that you shared was so liberating, it almost calmed me down.Books like these are to be treasured.

    Best wishes for your Book launch in Shimla.

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  11. “As a writer what I fear most is my work falling into the abyss of banality.”

    This is a fear most of us share. I’m always questioning my choices when I write–the theme, the plot, the characters, the tone, the words…everything. I’ve often been stalled in a WIP while I take some time to decide if it’s worth proceeding.

    I hope your book is a smashing success out in the world! Congratulations.

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  13. Funny how November is Young Birders’ Month and I (an arguably old person) ended up spotting birds all through the trip this weekend. Your book launch was quite fun to attend, and it was so heartwarming to see so many people turn up in support. Both you and Kuhu deserve oodles and oodles of love!

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  16. I love reading poetry but don’t buy books anymore. Too much space used up and hard work keeping books properly. So these days I do the easy thing- read online.

    I honestly think poetry is tough. You have to be a master of words – choose the write word, set the right mood, express the right feelings, all in a handful of words.

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  17. “And there are days I wish I owned nothing, like the grass“

    Such a thought stirring line. ❤ Lots of good wished for the launch of Kuhu Learns to Deal With Life.

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