Any reflection about poetry should begin, or end, with this question: who and how many read poetry books? Octavio Paz beginbookend Change image and share on social
When poetry separates from song, then the words have to carry all the rhythm themselves; they have to do all the work. They can't rely on the singing voice. Edward Hirsch carrypoetryrely Change image and share on social
I guess the thing that I'm most proud of is that I kept on writing poetry. I understand that poetry is sort of the source of everything I do. It's the source of my creativity. Erica Jong creativityguesspoetry Change image and share on social
I despair of ever writing excellent poetry. Isaac Rosenberg despairexcellentpoetry Change image and share on social
Nothing I had written before 'Mary Poppins' had anything to do with children, and I have always assumed, when I thought about it at all, that she had come out of the same wall of nothingness as the poetry, myth and legend that had absorbed me all my writing life. P. L. Travers absorbassumechild share on social
I would say that American poetry has always been a poetry of personal testimony. Mark Strand americanpersonalpoetry Change image and share on social
On July 26, 1916, I announced to all my friends in America that from now on I resolved to write no more poems in the classical language, and to begin my experiments in writing poetry in the so-called vulgar tongue of the people. Hu Shih americaannouncebegin share on social
I think of myself as an ambassador of the arts. In my heart of hearts, I know the world would by a more peaceful, tender place if we were more moved by the poetry around us. Tim Seibles ambassadorartheart 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
