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“My work is loving the world,” wrote Mary Oliver in her poem Messenger. Isn’t that the work we all need to do?
In this four-week online course, we’ll explore why Mary Oliver is such a wise guide for divided and disconnected times. We’ll read and discuss a wide range of her poetry and prose, inviting it to restore our love for and commitment to all forms of life.
Whether you are new to, or already familiar with, Mary Oliver’s poetry, this course will offer a nourishing and expansive way to discover her poetic spirit.
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Week 1: ATTENTION
Attention is the beginning of devotion.
We begin by exploring how Mary Oliver cultivated a daily practice of looking, listening and writing, and ask how her example can help us reclaim our own scattered attention in a noisy and demanding world.
Week 2: DARKNESS
Do you need a prod? Do you need a little darkness to get you going?
Mary Oliver experienced neglect and abuse as a child, and her poems reveal long struggles with trauma and despair. We’ll explore how her explorations of darkness have become a source of light for so many readers during difficult times.
Week 3: JOY
Every day I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight.
Joy was hard-won for Mary Oliver but very keenly felt. We’ll explore where she found her most reliable sources of delight.
Week 4: SIMPLICITY
As I grew older the things I cared about grew fewer, but were more important.
In the final week, we’ll ask what lessons Mary Oliver has around living more simply and spiritually. We’ll consider her relationship to time, money, expectations and possessions.
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The course runs on Zoom over four Tuesdays (18.30 - 20.30 BST). Before each session you will be emailed with instructions for accessing the meeting.
This is a participatory course and you will be asked to take a supportive interest in other people’s creative development.
For those who wish, there will also be an opportunity to join a WhatsApp group sharing poetry and building community in between sessions.
Tickets are valid for the full course even if you cannot attend all dates. No partial course ticket is available.
The main anthology we will use for the course is Devotions, a selection made by Mary Oliver herself. Please have a copy to hand.
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"Sophie brings a winning combination of enthusiasm, deep knowledge and reassurance."
"Depth of knowledge was matched by an exceptional ability to hold space."
"I felt so safely held and expertly guided by Sophie."
"Enough food for the soul to last me years"
"It made my heart so full, inspired me, lifted me, held me and encouraged me"
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A limited number of concessionary places are available. Using the code ‘concession’ will give you a third off the course fee when checking-out. Please only use this discount if you are sure you would not otherwise be able to attend.
I offer two bursary places on every course I run. You are welcome to contact me here to request one.