The idea of a poem as a message in a bottle means that it's sent out towards some future reader, and the reader who opens that bottle becomes the addressee of the literary text. Edward Hirsch addresseebottlefuture Change image and share on social
My focus is on the reader and that the poet's job is not to inspire himself or herself. The poet's job is to inspire some future reader. Edward Hirsch focusfutureinspire Change image and share on social
Poetry is a form of necessary speech... I have sought to restore the aura of sacred practice that accompanies true poetic creation, to honor both the rational and the irrational elements of poetry. Edward Hirsch accompanyauracreation Change image and share on social
A novel takes place over time. It's a historical narrative, and it needs to have a series of peaks and valleys and the move through. You can't just start at the highest pitch and stay there, but you can in a lyric poem. Edward Hirsch highhistoricallyric share on social
Fresh or changing conditions ferment fresh forms. Edward Hirsch changeconditionferment Change image and share on social
As long as there's been poetry, there have been lamentations. Edward Hirsch lamentationlongpoetry Change image and share on social
Rhythm is sound in motion. It is related to the pulse, the heartbeat, the way we breathe. It rises and falls. It takes us into ourselves; it takes us out of ourselves. Edward Hirsch breathefallheartbeat Change image and share on social
You're trying to write about something that's sacred. You're trying to bring the seriousness of life and death to it, and you're trying to find a way to dramatize it, and you're trying to give language to it, which is inadequate. But it's important to try. Edward Hirsch bringdeathdramatize share on social
