I am often asked why I started to write poetry. The answer is that my motivation sprang from a visceral need to creatively articulate the experiences of the black youth of my generation, coming of age in a racist society. Linton Kwesi Johnson ageanswerarticulate share on social
There is something about poetry beyond prose logic, there is mystery in it, not to be explained but admired. Edward Young admireexplainlogic Change image and share on social
In poetry you can express almost inexpressible feelings. You can express the pain of loss, you can express love. People always turn to poetry when someone they love dies, when they fall in love. Erica Jong expressfallfeeling Change image and share on social
And at least in poetry you should feel free to lie. That is, not to lie, but to imagine what you want, to follow the direction of the poem. Mark Strand directionfeelfollow Change image and share on social
I've been writing since I was sixteen. At first, I wrote mostly short stories and poetry. The first thing I ever had published was a poem about a football game. It was printed in my local newspaper. Jerry Spinelli footballgamehave Change image and share on social
I sometimes talk about the making of a poem within the poem. Howard Nemerov makepoemtalk Change image and share on social
I like poetry when I don't quite understand why I like it. Poetry isn't just a question of wrapping something up and giving it to someone else to unwrap. It just doesn't work like that. Mark Haddon givepoetryquestion Change image and share on social
English poetry begins whenever we decide to say the modern English language begins, and it extends as far as we decide to say that the English language extends. James Fenton begindecideenglish Change image and share on social
Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat. Robert Frost lifepoetrytake Change image and share on social
I never had much education in English poetry as such. Anne Carson educationenglishpoetry Change image and share on social
