In volume IV, the final book, the poet gives his view of the world through a series of love poems he addresses to a phantom lover or a woman he admires, who may or may not be real. But most of what he feels about the world, its politics, social and civil structure are seen through both the eyes of the poet and his phantom.

Modern themes of love, hope and despair are echoed through two voices. At times, they see the world on the edge of destruction in which they drift along, asleep until suddenly awaken by their love for each other, and the world becomes right again.

The tone is sometimes filled with anguish and despondency. But at the same time uplifting and consoling and most importantly redemptive.

The poem's humour lies in its repetition and imagery of physical love, and a willingness to laugh at oneself in death:

Over you I am in ecstasy.

But summer has a grip over me.

In middle age, the belly of a summer is a dog.

You'd be better off

sleeping in the dampness like a frog.

My arm pits are hot

and my shirt is like a sponge.

At my age,

I am at risk for heat stroke.

I am more at home in winter,

wearing an overcoat.