Reflections on Seamus Heaney and Mary Oliver

(Mary Oliver also writes creates about loving dogs. I do love my dog.)

When I think of my Irish heritage, I often find myself turning to poetry for inspiration. There's something about the lyrical language and deep connections to the natural world that I connect with. As Mary Oliver once wrote, "Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that." I find peace in the way poetry can capture the beauty and complexity of life, and connect us to something larger than ourselves.

Seamus Heaney is one of my favorite poets, with his masterful use of language and his deep connection to the Irish landscape. He once wrote, "I can't think of a case where poems changed the world, but what they do is they change people's understanding of what's going on in the world." Heaney's poetry invites us to slow down and pay attention to the small details of life, and to appreciate the natural beauty around us.

Another poet who inspires me is Mary Oliver. Her poetry is often grounded in the natural world, and she has a deep reverence for the interconnectedness of all living things. In her poem "Wild Geese," 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. / You only have to let the soft animal of your body / love what it loves." Oliver's words remind me that it's okay to be imperfect, to embrace our wildness, and to find beauty in unexpected places.

As I reflect on my own heritage and connection to Ireland, I find comfort in the words of these poets. They remind me to slow down, to pay attention, and to find beauty in the world around me. Poetry is a way to connect with the past, to understand the present, and to imagine a better future.

-Mary