“Olds writes “poetry more faithful to the felt truth of reality than any prose could be.” – Richard Wakefield.

He treasures the grain of the speaking voice -- Robert Crawford

I write because my ink must flow like blood. The written must be spoken. Patience Agbabi

And I could see that child's one eye which seemed to laugh, and say with glee: 'what caused my death you'll never know, perhaps my mother murdered me.' - W.H. Davies - 'The Inquest'

Deep in heart-wrung tears I'll pledge thee, warring sighs and groans I'll wage thee. - Robert Burns 'Song: ae fond kiss and then we sever'

I'm drawn to what you might think of as traditional lyric poetry; it's an enduring, effective, powerful means of expression.

No matter how compelling her themes, with their demands of compassion and political conscience, Satyamurti never loses hold of her main topic: the capacity of language. Bernard O'Donoghue, Poetry London

Woman! too long degraded, scorned, opprest; / O born to rule in partial Law's despite, / Resume thy native empire o'er the breast! ? Anna Laetitia Barbauld, 'The Rights of Women'

Gissa smile Sun, giss yr best / good mawnin' one, fresh 'n cool like - 'Sun O (2)', Hone Tuwhare

The eye, it cannot choose but see; / We cannot bid the ear be still; / Our bodies feel, where'er they be, / Against or with our will. Wordsworth, 'Expostulation and Reply'

Poetry's about what can't be said. WS Merwin

Not only rich music, an easy lyricism, but also grit, and earthy honesty, a willingness to be vulnerable and clean. - Gwendolyn Brooks