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How Mary Oliver met her life partner, Molly Malone Cook

Season 40 Episode 5 | 1m 26s

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.

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, Jeffrey Katz and Beth Rogers, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Candace King Weir, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Laura Richards and Jim Naughton, Filomen M. Dagostino Foundation, André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, The Charina Endowment Fund, and public television viewers.
Extras
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
"Wild Geese" is one of Mary Oliver's most popular poems.
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The Fish" in this excerpt from the film.
Mary Oliver sought to call attention to the destruction of the earth in her work.
Mary Oliver often hinted at the turmoil within her family, but sought to move past it.
This version contains ASL. Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
This version contains EAD. Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The First Time Percy Came Back."
Lucy Dacus reads Mary Oliver's poem "The Journey" in this outtake.