Mary Oliver on music

To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.

My work is loving the world. Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird — equal seekers of sweetness.

Every word is a messenger. Some have wings; some are filled with fire; some are filled with death.

If music be the food of love, play on.

William Shakespeare1564–1616Twelfth Night (1601), Act I, scene i.In context

• Love

Music makes one feel so romantic⁠—at least it always gets on one’s nerves⁠—which is the same thing nowadays.

Oscar Wilde1854–1900

• Love

Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.