My Mary Oliver Poems: #2 First Snow

 This entry reminds me of my reaction experiencing waking up to snow for the first time in my life, which happened to be just last year at TCU. This poem documents the feelings and observations during the first snow of winter. Although this aspect alone would not make me relate as much, the mystical and awe-inspiring nature of the recount is something that I resonated with specifically. Oliver describes trees that glitter like castles and shinning hills as the snow forms and slowly melts away throughout the day. She explains how such a remarkable event brings up many questions about the meaning behind snow and how this has occurred. My favorite part of the poem comes at the end, when Oliver revisits this concept. She states that, "though the questions that have assailed us all day remain...walking out now into the silence and the light under the trees, and through the fields, feels like one". Although questions remain unanswered, the sheer appreciation for the beauty snow brings is satisfying enough. The need for answers is overpowered by the uniqueness of this experience.

Waking up to snow was something I regret not having growing up in Los Angeles. When I heard it might possibly snow one night in February at TCU, I intently peered out my window at least every half an hour for the evening. I stayed glued to my Weather app to see what the forecast had in store. I was disappointed when I did not notice any snow that night. However, that morning, I woke up to the sight of small chunks of ice and snow falling sideways down from the sky. I felt like I was on cloud nine, smiling down at the Earth's beauty for the entire morning. I journeyed out into the snow, finding the crunching sound and feeling under my feet satisfying. Although it was cloudy, the bright white snow reflected upwards, making everything appear bright. I completely ignored the numbness I was experiencing in my nose. This truly felt like a winter wonderland, my inner child at peace. Just as Oliver describes, snow to me was "an energy it seemed would never ebb". Sometimes, certain manifestations from nature, such as sunsets and lightning, appear otherworldly. Observing such events confirms the notion for me that nature never fails to impress.