Messenger

The structure and the subject matter of this poem is remarkably like Oliver’s other works in that setting, scene, and place drive the structure, the form, and the overarching message of the poem. “Messenger” is from Mary Oliver’s book Thirst which was published in 2006. In 2005, Oliver’s life partner of over 40 years died. Although most of Oliver’s poems discuss nature and the interactions between humans and nature, through its motif of life and death, “Messenger” is especially revealing of this moment in Oliver’s life. In this poem, the speaker grapples with how to live life to its fullest while accepting the reality of impending mortality; the death of Oliver’s partner and her subsequent feelings are clearly reflected in this poem. Oliver not only contemplates death itself, but how she should live with grief. The existential subject matter and intimate point of view of this poem indicates that this is one of Oliver’s later works since, as earlier noted, it was not until her later writing that Oliver delved into more personal issues in her poetry.