Naches River. Just below the falls.

It is a secluded spot, twenty miles away from any town. On this particular day, the dense sunlight bathes everything in a warm glow, and the air is heavy with the heady odors of love.

How long have we? Already your body, with the sharpness and grace of Picasso's art, is drying in this highland air. I gently towel down your back and hips with my undershirt. Time here seems to be a mountain lion, lurking and unpredictable.

We laugh at nothing, as I touch your breasts. Even the ground squirrels seem to be dazzled by our moment of intimacy.

— — —

My wife had disappeared along with her clothes. She left behind only two nylon stockings and a hairbrush that was overlooked behind the bed. I should like to call your attention to these shapely nylons and to the strong, dark hair caught in the bristles of the brush.

I drop the nylons into the garbage sack, but the brush I'll keep and use. It is only the bed that seems strange and impossible to account for.

— — —

I see an empty place at the table. Whose? Who else's? Who am I kidding? The boat's waiting. There is no need for oars or a wind. I've left the key in the same place. You know where.

Remember me and all we did together. Now, hold me tight. That's it. Kiss me hard on the lips. There. Now let me go, my dearest. Let me go.

We shall not meet again in this life, so kiss me goodbye now. Here, kiss me again. Once more. There. That's enough. Now, my dearest, let me go. It's time to be on the way.

— — —

And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth.

This simple yet profound desire seems to encapsulate the essence of a life lived in search of love and connection. It is a longing that many can relate to, a longing that drives us to seek out those special moments and relationships that make life truly meaningful.

As we part ways, I carry with me the memories of our time together, a precious gift that will sustain me through the days and nights to come.

Goodbye, my love. May you find all the happiness and love that you deserve in this life.

I read this collection of poems in one sitting initially, and then I returned to it over a few days, as I often do with poems. I had the hope that in the second and third readings of some of these poems, I would discover the genius that we encounter in Carver's stories. However, try as I might, I'm afraid I couldn't. I truly do want to love his poetry.

But why doesn't it work for me? I felt that for many of these, there was no truly compelling reason for them to be poems at all. I was unable to find that diamond-hard precision in language that we find in his stories or in poetry elsewhere. The poetic voice is a significant issue here, the origin from which these poems emerge. In 'Miracle', he writes at the end:

"They'll survive. They'll land and pull themselves
together, walk away from this awful fix...
There's lots in store for them yet... "

The authority of the voice, unlike the absence of it in the stories, is often present to the point of being intrusive. One of the great joys and wonders of his short fiction is the way he implies great depths of complexity without having to state it directly. Here, and throughout the collection, he uses a more didactic and clumsy summary.

Many of the poems are interesting due to their relationship with his short fiction and his biography. 'Suspenders' reminds me of the adolescent angst and parental disapproval in 'Nobody Said Anything'. If it didn't happen directly to Carver, then I think it might be indicative of his upbringing in rural Washington state. 'Miracle' captures the latent violence and the potential for an uneasy reconciliation that we see in many of his stories from 'What we Talk About...'

I also think it was a mistake to include extracts from other writers, mostly Chekhov. There are simply too many of them, and Carver's poem that surrounds them appears to be lacking in comparison.

It may seem churlish and even unsympathetic to judge these poems so harshly, given that, as Tess Gallagher, Carver's widow, writes in her workable introduction, these were some of his last writings. He writes about his cancer diagnoses, which are heartbreaking for various reasons if, like me, you have a kind of love for Carver. But with the exception of the well-known 'Gravy' and the short but beautiful 'Late Fragment', they are more or less in the same vein as the other poems and have the same effect.

Perhaps I am wrong in thinking that these poems should contain the exceptional focus on language that we find in the stories. That would be preferable, at least to me, rather than finding Carver to be a lacklustre poet in this collection, especially when he held the art of poetry in such high regard.

This poetry, which reads like prose, is truly moving!

I had the wonderful fortune of stumbling upon a framed poem with an ink-drawn illustration in a Goodwill bin. Intrigued, I chased down the poet and was able to obtain this remarkable book. It collects his last poetry and was published after his untimely death. The very first poem I discovered was "Late Fragment."

And the profound words ask, "And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so?" The resounding answer is, "I did." But then, the question further probes, "And what did you want?" The simple yet powerful response is, "To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth."

These lines hold such depth and beauty. They make us reflect on our own desires and what truly matters in life. The poet's longing to be beloved and to experience that love here on earth is a universal sentiment that touches our hearts. It serves as a reminder to cherish the love we have and to strive to feel that sense of being beloved in our own lives.

Ma nello scrivere la storia della sua morte Raymond Carver ha anche scritto la storia del suo amore.

The doctor said, "There is a haze of summer."

It seems that there is no need to worry too much.

This is the last fragment of Raymond Carver's story.

Raymond Carver is a renowned American writer. His works often explore the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. In this particular piece, as he writes about his own mortality, he also weaves in the story of his love.

The mention of the "haze of summer" by the doctor might suggest a sense of uncertainty or ambiguity. It could be that the prognosis is not entirely clear, or perhaps there is a feeling of something lurking in the background.

The statement "Non c'è bisogno" implies that there is a certain acceptance or resignation. Maybe Raymond Carver has come to terms with his situation and is focusing on the important things in life, like his love.

The last fragment leaves us with a sense of mystery and curiosity. What will happen next? How will Raymond Carver's story of love and death unfold?

Favorite poems:

"The Painter & The Fish" is a captivating piece that takes the reader on a journey. It might describe the relationship between an artist and a fish, perhaps symbolizing the connection between the human and the natural world.

"One More" could be a poem that speaks of longing or desire. Maybe it's about wanting one more moment, one more chance, or one more experience. The simplicity of the title belies the depth of emotion that it might convey.

"Late Fragment" might be a reflection on something that came too late. It could be a thought, a feeling, or an event that only becomes clear in hindsight. The poem might explore the themes of regret, acceptance, or the passage of time.

These three poems offer different perspectives and emotions, yet they all have the power to touch the reader's heart and imagination. They are like little windows into different worlds, inviting us to explore and discover new meanings.

Thanks to my Goodreads friend Julie for recommending Raymond Carver.

This is an incredibly emotional book of poetry.

As I was reading the last few poems, I had tears welling up in my eyes.

I truly love this book!

The poem "Late Fragment" is especially poignant.

It poses the question: "And did you get what you wanted from this life, even so?"

The answer is a simple yet profound "I did."

And then it asks, "And what did you want?"

The response is beautiful: "To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth."

This line captures the essence of what many of us truly渴望 in life - to be loved and to know that we are cherished.

Carver's words have a way of touching the heart and making us reflect on our own lives and what truly matters.

I am so grateful to Julie for introducing me to this wonderful collection of poetry.

Reread #4.

It is truly so brilliant. The words seem to dance on the page, captivating the reader's attention from the very first line.

And it is also so poignant, especially when one reads it in the wake of loss.

The emotions that it evokes are deep and powerful, hitting the reader right in the heart.

It makes one stop and think about the meaning of life and the importance of珍惜 the moments that we have.

It is a piece of writing that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, leaving you with a sense of awe and wonder.

Overall, it is a truly remarkable piece of work that deserves to be read and reread again and again.

Reading this book of Carver's poetry, especially the poem "Lemonade," had a profound impact on me.

It made me think that perhaps I, too, had the potential to write poetry.

The beauty and simplicity of Carver's words inspired me to give it a try.

Now, with over two hundred published poems under my belt, I find myself still deeply engaged in the art of poetry writing.

Each poem is a new exploration, a chance to express my thoughts and emotions in a unique way.

I have discovered that poetry allows me to see the world from different perspectives and to connect with others on a deeper level.

Carver's work continues to be a source of inspiration for me, and I look forward to many more years of writing and sharing my poetry with the world.

I've read this book countless times throughout the past few decades. It seems that now is the perfect moment to pick it up and read it once more. The poems within this book offer an abundance of strength and comfort. They provide a profound understanding and acceptance of the fragile and temporary nature of life. In fact, they even celebrate this very aspect. Each poem is like a precious gem, shining a light on the beauty and transience that exists within our lives. As I read through these lines, I am reminded of the importance of living in the present moment and embracing all that life has to offer, both the joys and the sorrows. This book is truly a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration, and I look forward to delving into its pages once again.

My rating would probably be more like a 3.5.

I really didn't care for most of the Chekhov stuff, except for the other author's poems inserted. I mean, there were a few poems about fishing that were basically just instructions.

Then there's Carver's fishing poems. A 3-page poem about fish? Give me a break, old pal.

Yet when he hits, he hits hard and he broke my heart many times. Especially those last few. Damn.

It's interesting how different the works of these two are. The Chekhov pieces seemed a bit lackluster to me, perhaps because they didn't engage my emotions as much. But Carver's poems, on the other hand, had their moments of brilliance.

That 3-page poem about fish might have seemed excessive at first, but as I delved deeper, I could see the passion and detail he put into it.

And those final poems that broke my heart - they were truly powerful. They made me feel a range of emotions, from sadness to hope.

Overall, while this collection had its ups and downs, it was still an interesting read that made me think about the different ways authors can approach the same subject.

"Late Fragment"

In the quiet of the night, a late fragment of thought drifted through my mind.

It was like a solitary star shining in the vast expanse of the universe.

This fragment, though small, held a certain significance.

It made me stop and reflect on the events of the day.

Perhaps it was a missed opportunity or a moment of clarity.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but wonder where this fragment would lead.

Would it inspire me to take action or simply remain a fleeting thought?

Only time would tell.

But for now, I would hold onto this late fragment and let it simmer in my consciousness.

Maybe it would grow into something more substantial, something that could change my perspective or my life.

Who knows?

All I knew was that this late fragment had found its way into my heart and was now a part of me.

Favorites:

Summer Fog: The soft and mysterious summer fog blankets the landscape, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. It shrouds the trees and buildings, giving a sense of tranquility and mystery.

Miracle: A miracle is something that defies explanation and brings hope and joy. It can be a small act of kindness or a major event that changes lives.

Sunday Night: Sunday night is a time of relaxation and reflection. It's a chance to unwind after a busy weekend and prepare for the week ahead. The stillness of the night can be both peaceful and a little melancholy.

The Painter and the Fish: This title evokes a sense of creativity and the connection between art and nature. The painter may be inspired by the beauty of the fish, or perhaps the fish represents something deeper in the painter's psyche.

The March into Russia: This phrase conjures up images of history and adventure. The march into Russia could be a military campaign, a journey of exploration, or a symbolic act of crossing into the unknown.

Margo: Margo is a name that has a certain charm and elegance. It could be the name of a person, a place, or an object. Margo might be a character in a story, a beautiful city, or a precious possession.

Hummingbird: The hummingbird is a tiny and delicate creature that is known for its speed and agility. It's a symbol of grace and beauty, and its presence can bring a sense of wonder and delight.