I remember having the great fortune of reading with
Akilah Oliver and Brandon Shimoda at the University of Arizona's Poetry Center. Oliver's intensities, grace, mind, kinetic abilities to intertwine verse language sound context idiom and her loves and Strength were evident to all present. Personally, this happened weeks after one of the most harrowing periods of my life. Akilah, both her verse and person, made it all such an amazing event to be a part of. We spoke vividly of an Oliver/Jenks tour because no one would expect it and we thought it a fine mesh of dictions and differences. I was flattered and thrilled. Soon. We'd do that. We'd get around to that. Her "The Putterer's Notebook" and other works astound. I just found out of her passing. Wish there was a way to say it more thoughtfully other than to say her verse and person are generous energies - and she will be missed. Dearly. She gave without knowing, at a time when I needed it most (away from home was at that time, a real challenge). To all friends and family, my heart goes to you. In the end, I do not have words really. Nothing adequate. There is no right word for a loss such as this. last January.
