Zach Klein Poet Blog- week 11 Mary Oliver #3

"The Waterfall”, by Mary Oliver, continues the common theme that Oliver likes to focus on, nature. Oliver’s theme of nature resonates with me as I am very interested in works revolving around nature. 

    The first stanza of the poem uses personification comparing the waterfall to a woman. It says “womanly arms” and “lace legs” representing the “beauty” of nature. It gives a picture in your head to imagine a magnificent waterfall. The third stanza compares the color of the waterfall to ribbons made of snow or god’s white hair. This can represent the waterfall being very massive and even godlike. The fifth stanza describes the flow of water like gravity. Scientifically, this is accurate, but it adds to the flow of the poem by helping you imagine the water making its way to the ground. The seventh stanza describes the power of imagination but expresses that it has its limitations. The last stanza of the poem illustrates the oxymoron between the motionless pool below the waterfall and the active motion of the fall. It gives a perspective of the rushing water and the calm pool of water below it. 

Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Waterfall”, gives a beautiful take on nature. One may see a waterfall as just water falling down rocks, but her poem makes it seem magical. Personally, I would want to visit the waterfall she is describing. As Oliver says in her 7th stanza, imagination could give you a good perspective, like a third eye, but it can’t do everything for a reader. Visiting this waterfall would give me the full ability to witness what my imagination is trying to depict to me.