How does one happen to write a poem: where does it come from? That is the question asked by the psychologists or the geneticists of poetry. Allen Tate askgeneticisthappen Change image and share on social
At twelve I was determined to shoot only For honor; at twenty not to shoot at all; I know at thirty-three that one must shoot As often as one gets the rare chance - In killing there is more than commentary. Allen Tate chancecommentarydetermine share on social
According to its doctors, my one intransigent desire is to have been a Confederate general, and because I could not or would not become anything else, I set up for poet and beg an to invent fictions about the personal ambitions that my society has no use for. Allen Tate ambitionbegconfederate share on social
The only real evidence that any critic may bring before his gaze is the finished poem. Allen Tate bringcriticevidence Change image and share on social
Experience means conflict, our natures being what they are, and conflict means drama. Allen Tate conflictdramaexperience Change image and share on social
But in our age the appeal to authority is weak, and I am of my age. Allen Tate ageappealauthority Change image and share on social
Religion is the sole technique for the validating of values. Allen Tate religionsoletechnique Change image and share on social
Poets, in their way, are practical men; they are interested in results. Allen Tate interestmanpoet Change image and share on social
Dramatic experience is not logical; it may be subdued to the kind of coherence that we indicate when we speak, in criticism, of form. Allen Tate coherencecriticismdramatic Change image and share on social
Serious poetry deals with the fundamental conflicts that cannot be logically resolved: we can state the conflicts rationally, but reason does not relieve us of them. Allen Tate conflictdealfundamental Change image and share on social
