A Poetry Portfolio by Mary K. O'Melveny
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Cherry Tree (excerpt)
Mary K. O’Melveny is a poet based between Washington, D.C., and Woodstock, New York. Mary’s background is as a labour rights lawyer, and her poetry often concerns current events and discussions pertinent to the social, economical, and political climate.
Green is a Primary Color (excerpt)
I enjoy the way that Mary’s poems shift from an easy, conversational tone into one of beautifully constructed verse, and back again. Each poem seems to guide the reader gently into an important conversation, not beginning it abruptly but instead drawing the reader in and encouraging thoughtful participation and interaction. The subject matter of Mary’s poems varies, though a common theme seems to be meditations on everyday life and the current moment, and how those moments thread together into a more connected whole.
Mary’s poems demonstrate a great meeting point between introspection and outward awareness. The result is poetry that’s accessible without ever pandering, and important without feeling daunting.
