The Power of Nature in Mary Oliver’s ‘The Black Snake’
Mary Oliver is one of the most beloved poets of our time. Her work often explores the beauty and power of nature, and her poem “The Black Snake” is no exception. In this poem, Oliver uses vivid imagery to explore the power of nature and its ability to both captivate and terrify us.
A Captivating Description of Nature
In “The Black Snake,” Oliver paints a captivating picture of nature. She begins by describing a black snake that is “sliding through the grass” and “slipping through the trees.” The snake is described as being “black as night,” which gives it an ominous presence. The imagery used in this poem creates a vivid image in the reader’s mind, making it easy to imagine the snake slithering through the grass and trees.
Oliver then goes on to describe how the snake moves with grace and ease, as if it were part of nature itself. She writes that it moves “like a river flowing through its banks,” which gives readers a sense of awe at how effortlessly the snake moves through its environment. This imagery helps to emphasize how powerful nature can be when we observe it from afar.
The Fearful Side of Nature
While Oliver’s description of nature is captivating, she also acknowledges that there is a fearful side to it as well. She writes that when we come too close to nature, we can be filled with fear: “But when I come too close/I am filled with fear/And I turn away quickly/As if I had seen something terrible there.” This line speaks to how powerful nature can be when we are up close and personal with it; even though we may find beauty in its grandeur from afar, when we get too close we can be filled with fear at its power.
Oliver also acknowledges that even though there may be fear associated with nature, there is still beauty in it: “But still I am drawn back/To watch its beauty unfold.” This line speaks to how even though there may be fear associated with nature, there is still something captivating about it that draws us back again and again.
Conclusion
In her poem “The Black Snake,” Mary Oliver explores both the beauty and power of nature. Through vivid imagery, she paints a captivating picture of a black snake moving gracefully through its environment while also acknowledging that there can be fear associated with getting too close to nature. Ultimately, this poem serves as a reminder that even though there may be fear associated with getting too close to nature, there is still something beautiful about observing it from afar.