That is to say, epic poetry has been invented many times and independently; but, as the needs which prompted the invention have been broadly similar, so the invention itself has been. Lascelles Abercrombie broadlyepicindependently Change image and share on social
What are the sources of poetry? Love and death and the paradox of love and death. All poetry from the beginning is about Eros and Thanatos. Those are the only subjects. And how Eros and Thanatos interweave. Erica Jong begindeathero 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
With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion. Edgar Allan Poe passionpoetrypurpose Change image and share on social
I don't think I've ever read poetry, ever. I'm not really book-smart. Eminem bookhavepoetry Change image and share on social
You don't help people in your poems. I've been trying to help people all my life - that's my trouble. Charles Olson havelifepeople Change image and share on social
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. Ben Okri begincircleconscious share on social
I've always written, all my life, and when I was very young I developed an interest in poetry. Jeffery Deaver develophaveinterest Change image and share on social
I have piles of poetry books in the bathroom, on the stairs, everywhere. The only way to write poetry is to read it. Carol Ann Duffy bathroombookpile Change image and share on social
Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things. T. S. Eliot emotionescapeexpression share on social
