Meaning: Sharon Olds, a renowned American poet, is known for her deeply personal and introspective writing style. The quote, "I didn't have time to sit down and look at the work of a year and choose what to type," encapsulates the urgency and rawness that often characterizes her poetry. In this quote, Olds acknowledges the relentless nature of her creative process and the immediacy with which her emotions and experiences manifest in her work.

Olds' statement reflects the intense and unfiltered nature of her poetic expression. It suggests a sense of urgency and spontaneity in her writing, indicating that she does not always have the luxury of carefully selecting and deliberating over her words. Instead, her poetry seems to flow directly from her experiences and emotions, capturing the raw essence of her thoughts and feelings in the moment.

One interpretation of this quote is that Olds prioritizes authenticity and immediacy in her writing. She eschews the notion of carefully curating her work over an extended period, opting instead to capture the essence of her experiences in real time. This approach lends her poetry an unvarnished quality, allowing readers to glimpse the unfiltered emotional landscape of her life.

Furthermore, the quote may also speak to the relentless pace at which Olds processes and channels her experiences into poetry. As a poet known for delving into deeply personal and often challenging subject matter, such as family dynamics, love, and loss, she may feel compelled to transcribe her emotions and reflections without pause or hesitation. The quote suggests that the act of typing, of translating her inner world onto the page, is an immediate and urgent process for her.

In addition, the quote could be interpreted as a commentary on the fleeting nature of inspiration and creativity. Olds' statement conveys the sense that there is not always time for contemplation and careful curation when it comes to her poetry. Instead, she must seize the moment and capture the essence of her experiences as they unfold, without the luxury of looking back over a year's worth of work to carefully select what to type.

Overall, Sharon Olds' quote encapsulates the raw, immediate, and unapologetically authentic nature of her poetic voice. It speaks to the urgency with which she channels her experiences and emotions into her work, eschewing careful curation in favor of unfiltered and spontaneous expression. Through this quote, Olds invites readers to engage with the unvarnished truth of her emotional landscape, capturing the essence of her lived experiences in real time.