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

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

Mary Oliver, the beloved poet and nature writer, was known for her deep connection to the natural world and her ability to capture its beauty and wonder in her words. Despite her fame and acclaim, Oliver was a private and introspective person who preferred solitude and quiet contemplation.

In her poem "The Journey," Oliver writes, "One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began, though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice." This line speaks to Oliver's own journey of self-discovery and the importance of following one's own inner voice, even in the face of external pressures.

Oliver's desire for solitude and privacy is evident in her poem "Wild Geese," where she writes, "You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting." This sentiment reflects Oliver's belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all beings, and her rejection of the idea that one must constantly strive for perfection or seek validation from others.

In the context of the quote "I very much wished not to be noticed, and to be left alone, and I sort of succeeded," it is clear that Oliver valued her privacy and independence above all else. Despite her fame and the attention that came with it, she remained true to herself and continued to live a quiet and simple life, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Oliver's poetry is filled with images of the natural world – the trees, the rivers, the animals – and her words have a quiet power that speaks to the soul. In her solitude, she found a deep connection to the world around her, and her poems continue to inspire and uplift readers around the world.