I go down to the shore in the morning and depending on the hour the waves are rolling in or moving out, and I say, oh, I am miserable ,what shall  – what should I do? And the sea says in its lovely voice: Excuse me, I have work to do.

Whether studying the leaves of a tree or mourning her treasured dog Percy, Mary Oliver is beautifully open to the teachings contained within the smallest of moments.

In A Thousand Mornings she explores, with startling clarity, humour and kindness, the mysteries of our daily experience.