Mary Oliver Poem #6: "August"
Upon delving into Mary Oliver's enchanting poem "August," I found myself swept away by a rush of joy, accompanied by a poignant twinge of nostalgia. Since as far back as memory serves, my family's annual summer tradition for my birthday involved a pilgrimage to Eckert’s Farm in Belleville, Illinois, where we eagerly plucked peaches and blackberries. And this past August was no exception. We awakened predawn so that we could try and beat the blistering summer heat, where we drove from St. Louis to Belleville singing songs and playing car games to pass the time. We then would embark on the harvesting of a lifetime, filling basket after basket of peaches and blackberries galore. While picking, we always stop and have a competition to see who can find the juiciest and biggest piece of fruit upon which we can all indulge. These are some of my most cherished memories that I hold so deeply in my heart.
Mary Oliver identifies a certain freedom of the fruit being untouched by human influence when stating:
“When the blackberries hang swollen in the woods, in the brambles nobody owns, I spend all day among the high branches….” (365)
The blackberries remain in untamed brambles away from human control, inviting the reader to connect with nature in its purest form. The repetition of “all day” underscores Oliver’s commitment to this immersive experience, highlighting the duration and dedication to the act of truly connecting with nature. The mention of “swollen” blackberries evokes a sense of abundance and ripeness, aligning with the August setting synonymous to the height of summer—a touching echo of my own August adventures in Illinois.
The description of the berries as "the black honey of summer" not only resonates with Oliver's vivid imagery but also transports me to the orchards in Illinois, where I can practically taste the sweetness of the blackberries (365).
Throughout the poem, Mary Oliver also explores the theme of acceptance of self when expressing:
“all day my body accepts what it is” (365)
In doing so, she cultivates a sense of self-acceptance and harmony with one’s existence and the richness of life found in nature. The reference to a “happy tongue” emerges as a symbol of pleasure and satisfaction in the overall immersion in nature-- a source of both physical and spiritual nourishment. Overall, Mary Oliver’s vivid verses in “August” sparked memories reminding me of the timeless beauty in nature and the warmth of home.
A trip to Eckert's back in 2016
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