The writing career of poet Mary Oliver spans three decades. She has produced thirteen volumes of poetry and prose and two books on the craft of writing poetry. Oliver's poetry offers a transcendental view of the natural world in terms accessible to the t...

At the onset of her career as a poet, Mary Oliver seems almost literally to have followed in the footsteps of Edna St. Vincent Millay, whose lyrical manner influenced Oliver's early work. Both were "country bred," studied at Vassar, and found an artistic...

Learning Curve: 6 to 10 years If she's lucky enough to go to a school that offers them, your child may get to start music lessons in the third grade. But many parents opt to give their children lessons even earlier, believing this...

I moved again, recently, for the 17th time since that summer. Each time I pack and unpack these sturdy cardboard boxes, I am amazed not by what has been lost or broken, but by what I find and by what endures. The souvenirs I...

“Is that spelled A-N?” “No, it’s spelled A-N-N. Like the standard spelling of the English woman’s name Ann.” “And your last name, M -A- R- L-O?” “W-E. Like Christopher.” Silence. “Or Philip—you know, the detective?”...

“Is that spelled A-N?” “No, it’s spelled A-N-N. Like the standard spelling of the English woman’s name Ann.”“And your last name, M -A- R- L-O?” “W-E. Like Christopher.” Silence. “Or Philip—you know, the detective?” Silence. “M-A-R-L-O-W-E.” “Thanks, I’ll give her the...