An odist refers to a poet who specializes in writing odes, which are lyric poems characterized by a formal structure and serious or elevated themes. In the given clue, Olds, Keats, and Shelley are all renowned poets who were known for their exceptional work in writing odes.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Walt Whitman, notably. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.