Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Mary Oliver's poem "Yes! No!", we confront the necessity and beauty of opinions, observations, and, most importantly, attentiveness to the world. Through elegant depictions of nature, Oliver expands on the theme that forming judgments-expressed in the exclamatory words "Yes! No!"-is not only important but is also central to the human experience and our interaction with the world.

The opening lines present an intriguing statement: "How necessary it is to have opinions!" This assertion sets the stage for a poem that explores the significance of forming opinions in a world that often seems indifferent to them. Oliver then beautifully juxtaposes this human need for judgment against the backdrop of nature-spotted trout lilies, plum trees, and violets-each existing without apparent need for approval or disapproval. This contrast serves to question the very necessity of opinions that the opening line proclaims.

The second stanza is a display of serenity and contentment within nature: "The violets, along the river, are opening their blue faces, like / small dark lanterns." Oliver underscores the innate ability of nature to exist peacefully, with or without our judgments. These lines put forth the notion that serenity is not something readily available but must be discovered or acknowledged through our lens of understanding and appreciation.

The poem then pivots to emphasize the importance of individual experience: "How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly, / looking at everything and calling out / Yes! No!" Here, Oliver celebrates the active, conscious engagement with the world as an invaluable endeavor. It's as if she is saying that the act of living is a process of ongoing negotiation between acceptance and rejection, affirmation and negation. In this walk through life, each "Yes" and each "No" becomes a defining moment, a choice that shapes our understanding and experience of existence.

The latter part of the poem dives deeper into the significance of attention and imagination. According to Oliver, "Imagination is better / than a sharp instrument." Imagination, in this context, becomes the tool through which we carve out meaning from a world that is as chaotic as it is beautiful. Attention, Oliver suggests, is our "endless and proper work." Attention allows us to call out "Yes! No!" with a clarity born of truly seeing and understanding our environment.

The poem works both as a tribute to the power of individual perception and as a gentle reminder of our obligation to be attentive witnesses to the world around us. It is in the balanced dance between these two-the self and the world-that Oliver finds the essence of human life. Through her keen observations and the eloquent juxtaposition of human opinions against the unjudging backdrop of nature, Oliver's "Yes! No!" serves as a testament to the immeasurable value of attention, judgment, and engagement with the world.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...