© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
DONATE
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

American Masters

Steve Buscemi reads Mary Oliver's poem, "The Fish"

Season 40 Episode 5 | 1m 18s

Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The Fish" in this excerpt from the film. "She's going to the deepest, most contradictory places where life and death usher from the same source."

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
Watch • 2:10
American Masters
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Preview: S40 E6 | 2:10
Watch • 2:37
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Preview: S40 E5 | 2:37
Watch • 2:30
American Masters
Unpacking the meaning behind Mary Oliver's "Wild Geese"
"Wild Geese" is one of Mary Oliver's most popular poems.
Clip: S40 E5 | 2:30
Watch • 1:26
American Masters
How Mary Oliver met her life partner, Molly Malone Cook
Mary Oliver met her life partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook, at Steepletop.
Clip: S40 E5 | 1:26
Watch • 2:00
American Masters
The political nature of Mary Oliver's poems
Mary Oliver sought to call attention to the destruction of the earth in her work.
Clip: S40 E5 | 2:00
Watch • 2:32
American Masters
Mary Oliver had a troubled childhood
Mary Oliver often hinted at the turmoil within her family, but sought to move past it.
Clip: S40 E5 | 2:32
Watch • 0:58
American Masters
Steve Buscemi reads Mary Oliver's "The First Time Percy Came Back"
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The First Time Percy Came Back."
Clip: S40 E5 | 0:58
Watch • 1:06
American Masters
Lucy Dacus reads Mary Oliver's "The Journey"
Lucy Dacus reads Mary Oliver's poem "The Journey" in this outtake.
Clip: S40 E5 | 1:06
Watch • 1:26:04
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World [EAD]
This version contains EAD. Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Special: 1:26:04
Watch • 1:22:55
American Masters
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World [ASL]
This version contains ASL. Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
Special: 1:22:55