I'm as much influenced by Joseph Smith and the Mormons as I am, more so, than by Eliot. Actually, I'm much more influenced by the poetry of the Mormons. Marguerite Young eliotinfluencejoseph Change image and share on social
Real friendship, like real poetry, is extremely rare - and precious as a pearl. Tahar Ben Jelloun extremelyfriendshippearl Change image and share on social
Bad, quirky poetry might be better than some of the good stuff, because it really comes from the heart. Cheryl Hines badgoodheart Change image and share on social
A poem in form still has to have voice, gesture, a sense of discovery, a metaphoric connection, as any poetry does. Robert Morgan connectiondiscoveryform Change image and share on social
I began my writing life as a poet, so poetry has always been fundamental. I evolved from poetry to journalism to stories to novels. But poetry was always there. Ben Okri beginevolvefundamental Change image and share on social
'Words and Music' on Radio 3 is always a treat. Actors read passages of poetry and prose interspersed with music, and nobody tells you what it is. Later you can look it up online, but at the time you can't cheat. Claire Tomalin actorcheatintersperse share on social
Poetry taught me a great deal about language and images, but when it came to plotting, I was stumped. It's been very much a learn-by-doing thing for me. Jennifer McMahon dealgreatimage 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
I began to write poetry in high school, and would ride miles over sandy roads in the fine hills around Cedar Rapids, repeating the lines over and over until I had them right, making some of the rhythm of the horse help. Paul Engle begincedarfine share on social
Poetry is a phantom script telling how rainbows are made and why they go away. Carl Sandburg makephantompoetry Change image and share on social
