How Mary Oliver met her life partner, Molly Malone Cook
Clip: 8/25/2026 | 1m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
Mary Oliver met her life partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook, at Steepletop.
Mary Oliver met her life partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook, at Edna St. Millay's estate, Steepletop, and "fell head over heels in love with her." The two were together for over 40 years until Cook's death in 2005.
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Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation,...
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How Mary Oliver met her life partner, Molly Malone Cook
Clip: 8/25/2026 | 1m 27sVideo has Closed Captions
Mary Oliver met her life partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook, at Edna St. Millay's estate, Steepletop, and "fell head over heels in love with her." The two were together for over 40 years until Cook's death in 2005.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship(gentle jazz music) - [Narrator] Mary Oliver moved to New York City, but continued visiting Steepletop.
One day when she was visiting, Molly Malone Cook also was there, and Mary described falling head over heels in love with her.
(flames crackling) (gentle music) - If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don't hesitate.
Give into it.
There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be.
We are not wise and not very often kind, and much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left.
- [Narrator] Molly was 10 years Mary's senior.
Just this charismatic, stylish, sophisticated person.
She just appeared in her life.
(dramatic music) - Perhaps this is its way of fighting back that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world.
It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins.
Anyway, that's often the case.
Anyway, whatever it is, don't be afraid of its plenty.
Joy is not made to be a crumb.
(gentle music)
NewMary Oliver had a troubled childhood
Video has Closed Captions
Mary Oliver often hinted at the turmoil within her family, but sought to move past it. (2m 33s)
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
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Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver. (2m 37s)
NewThe political nature of Mary Oliver's poems
Video has Closed Captions
Mary Oliver sought to call attention to the destruction of the earth in her work. (2m 1s)
NewSteve Buscemi reads Mary Oliver's poem, "The Fish"
Video has Closed Captions
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The Fish" in this excerpt from the film. (1m 19s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation,...