Oliver, now in her late 70’s and apparently in a new love relationship, has moved to Florida full time and has  recovered some of the voice that resulted in an early Pulitzer for her work.  There’s less of the sappy nature-loving stuff and more about relationships. She can still turn the beautiful phrase as seen in the following:  “To understand many things you must reach out/of your own condition”; “Certain facts are unavoidable, still/something in me/refuses to abdicate”; “In this early dancing of a new day”; “Each of us wears a shadow”.  Then, there’s this poem which sums up the various authors/poets who share my wish to stay around forever.

 I Don’t Want to Lose

    I don’t want to lose a single thread

    from the intricate brocade of this happiness.

    I want to remember everything.

    Which is why I’m lying awake, sleepy

    but not sleepy enough to give it up.

    Just now, a moment from years ago;

    the early morning light, the deft, sweet

    gesture of your hand

        reaching for me.