Dog Songs by Mary Oliver with Amanda Sue Creasey
Hello Libration Nation! This week, we're diving into a beautifully heartwarming poetry collection, Dog Songs by the illustrious Mary Oliver. Joining me is the wonderful Amanda Sue Creasey, a high school English teacher and the Outdoors Writer for Cooperative Living Magazine. Her novel An Expected End was published in 2023. She holds an undergraduate degree in German, English, and Secondary Education from Michigan State University, and a graduate degree in Creative Writing from the University of Denver.
Her work appears in three Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and her poetry, outdoor journalism, and nature photography have earned recognition from the Poetry Society of Virginia and Virginia Outdoor Writers Association.
When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, walking, and standup paddle boarding with her dogs, as well as running and reading. A member of James River Writers, the Poetry Society of Virginia, and Virginia Outdoor Writers Association, she resides in Chester, Virginia, with her husband; Archie the parrot; and two rescue dogs, Nacho and Soda, chihuahua mix littermates who rule the house.
Our beverage for this literary evening is a delightful choice—the refreshing Choice Organics peppermint tea. It’s perfect for winding down in the evening and complements our discussion about the meditative nature of Mary Oliver's work. Though we tossed around several options, including coffee, peppermint tea won out as the ideal calming companion to poetry—offering warmth and comfort as we settled into our discussion.
Mary Oliver's deep connection to nature is another theme we touch on. In "Dog Songs," Oliver beautifully links the nature of dogs to our human experience, inviting us to embrace the interconnectedness of all living things—a reflection that is both contemporary and timeless. For those who are grieving the loss of a dog or simply cherish the companionship of their canine friends, "Dog Songs" serves as a comforting reminder that such bonds are both profound and eternal.
Drink
In this Episode
An Unexpected End by Amanda Sue Creasey
Explore More Column by Amanda Sue Creasey for Cooperative Living Magazine
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz
Earthly Bodies by Vanessa Chakour
Not MFA novel writing class by Matt Cricchio
The Crucible by Arthur Miller