What's the function of poetry? It's to express general truths, to connect with the reader and make him think: 'Wow, I've experienced that, but you've expressed it so much better.' Giles Andreae connectexperienceexpress Change image and share on social
I truly hate marketing promotions, and I don't at all approve of encouraging wannabe poets to write bad poetry. Anne Stevenson approvebadencourage Change image and share on social
I read a little bit of nonfiction and a lot of poetry. I think of poetry as my shot of whiskey when I don't have time to savor a whole bottle of wine. Alice McDermott bitebottlelot Change image and share on social
If a line of poetry strays into my memory, my skin bristles so that the razor ceases to act. A. E. Housman actbristlecease Change image and share on social
It is my belief that many who think they dislike poetry are really poetical in their natures and are indebted to it, more than they imagine, for the success they may have achieved, even in practical pursuits, and for the enjoyment their lives have afforded them. Orson F. Whitney achieveaffordbelief share on social
I'm hopefully touring with Colin Baker next year in Perfect Strangers. I have performed with Sylvia Simms in poetry and music evenings. I would love to do those for the rest of my career - they are so fun and witty. Louise Jameson bakercareercolin share on social
The sort of poetry I seek resides in objects man can't touch. E. M. Forster manobjectpoetry Change image and share on social
We're all just animals. That's all we are, and everything else is just an elaborate justification of our instincts. That's where music comes from. And romantic poetry. And bad novels. Elvis Costello animalbadelaborate Change image and share on social
None but a poet can write a tragedy. For tragedy is nothing less than pain transmuted into exaltation by the alchemy of poetry. Edith Hamilton alchemyexaltationpain Change image and share on social
There have always been great defenses of poetry, and I've tried to write mine, and I think all of my work and criticism is a defense of poetry to try and keep something alive in poetry. Edward Hirsch alivecriticismdefense Change image and share on social
