“The first function of poetry is to tell the truth, to learn how to do that, to find out what you really feel and what you really think.”
Poetry says in twenty words what prose takes two hundred to approximate. These quotes explore the craft, the beauty, and the necessity of verse — from poets who live for it and readers who are grateful they do.
“There are distinct duties of a poet laureate. I plan a reading series at the Library of Congress and advise the librarian. The rest is how I want to promote poetry.”
“The first function of poetry is to tell the truth, to learn how to do that, to find out what you really feel and what you really think.”
“I'm conscious of a series of circles working its way through my life. And at this particular moment I have come round to the beginning of my writing cycle. It begins with poetry. There's hardly a day that goes past on which I don't write poetry.”
“Why should poetry have to make sense?”
“I'm not a writer. I think I can write short stories and poetry, but film writing, brilliant film writing, is a talent - you can't just do it like that.”
“Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted.”
“A poet looks at the world the way a man looks at a woman.”
“Distinctly American poetry is usually written in the context of one's geographic landscape, sometimes out of one's cultural myths, and often with reference to gender and race or ethnic origins.”
“And the second question, can poetry be taught? I didn't think so.”
“I see a resurgence of interest in poetry. I am less optimistic about the prospects for the arts when it comes to federal funding.”
“I cannot speak for more than an hour exclusively about poetry. At that point, life itself takes over again.”
“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.”
“Poetry is really a way of sharing feelings and ideas.”
“I love romantic poetry.”
“A poem in form still has to have voice, gesture, a sense of discovery, a metaphoric connection, as any poetry does.”
“A true poet does not bother to be poetical. Nor does a nursery gardener scent his roses.”