In the film Nyad, Diana reads the tail of end of the poem 'The Summer Day' from a poetry collection of the Pulitzer prize winning and best-selling author/poet Mary Oliver (from Maple Heights, Ohio) to her friend/coach Bonnie to emphasise that she needs to accomplish the one feat that has eluded her. Interesting choice as Nyad and Oliver share some similarities in being lesbian, survivors of childhood abuse, and have/had strong relationships with Mother Nature (albeit a bit different).
Mary Oliver has become a favorite of poetry readers of all ages for her lyrical, intimate, and sensitive poems, many of which use nature as a lens for exploring the spectrum of human emotions, from love and joy to sorrow and despair. The best Mary Oliver poems remind us to pause and take a breath, revel in our surroundings, and encourage us not to take anything for granted. - Kayti Lahsaiezadeh
