Summary

Upstream

Oliver writes of her fond memories in nature. She names flowers and trees. She came to know herself and discovered her love of writing in this time. One day she walked up a stream, which made her heart open again and again. She likes to hug an oak that is special to her, and she admires bears for being able to care for themselves with herbs when they are sick. When she walked upstream, she felt lost in the best possible way and often wishes to be lost in that way again. She emphasizes the importance of exposing children to the workings and beauty of nature.

My Friend Walt Whitman

The poet Walt Whitman was Oliver's best friend growing up. She designates her solitude as a child to her occupation with poetry. She had many writer friends through her books and they...