Mary Oliver 4: “Wild Geese”

 “Wild Geese” By Mary Oliver

    The poem, "Wild Geese" by Mary Oliver, portrays a beautiful message about self-acceptance and forgiveness. The opening lines, "You do not have to be good” and “You do not have to walk on your knees," immediately set a tone of liberation from the societal expectations of perfection and the burden it puts on us. The imagery of walking on one's knees for a hundred miles through the desert alludes to the hardship and self-punishment we put on ourselves, and this poem advocates for the escape of these pressures. The poem also emphasizes the importance of embracing one's true self and encourages the reader to pursue their desires and passions. The poem then shifts from the hardships of life into the reminder that no matter what happens, life will continue on. The natural elements continue, uninterrupted by the constraints of the human world it coexists with, "Meanwhile the world goes on." The recurring motif of wild geese becomes a symbol of freedom and self discovery. Overall, "Wild Geese" speaks to the universal journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and finding one's place within the greater context of life. 

This poem stuck out to me not only for its creative and beautiful writing style, interwoven with symbols, metaphors, and imagery, but also for its deeper, underlying meaning. I believe self realization is something that most people can say that they have struggled with. Personally, being the middle daughter of three girls, I can say that I relate heavily to the sentiment of this poem. Oftentimes I have felt that sense of confusion towards who I am, what I believe, and what sets me apart. It has taken a lot of time and reflection to become the person that I am today, and I believe that my growth is far from over. Like the poem describes, I am a wild goose, flying high over the crowd announcing my place in the world. 


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