Poets are the sense, philosophers the intelligence of humanity. Samuel Beckett humanityintelligencephilosopher Change image and share on social
Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. Percy Bysshe Shelley legislatorpoetunacknowledged Change image and share on social
Poets can't resist the dramatic pull of their lives and so inevitably write autobiographical verse. John Barton autobiographicaldramaticinevitably Change image and share on social
Poets deal in writing about feelings and trying to find the language and images for intense feelings. Carol Ann Duffy dealfeelingfind Change image and share on social
Poets don't draw. They unravel their handwriting and then tie it up again, but differently. Jean Cocteau differentlydrawhandwriting Change image and share on social
Poets, for example, are generally considered starry-eyed and sensitive, but only by those who have never encountered one. Craig Brown considerencountereye Change image and share on social
Poets go through a very tough apprenticeship in the use of words. Helen Dunmore apprenticeshippoettough Change image and share on social
Poets have always celebrated grief as one of the deepest human emotions. Edward Hirsch celebratedeepemotion Change image and share on social
Poets have said that the reason to have children is to give yourself immortality. Immortality? Now that I have five children, my only hope is that they are all out of the house before I die. Bill Cosby childdiegive Change image and share on social
Poets have to be sensitive to their audience, but it does not mean that they censor themselves. I realise my audience is diverse. Some will read with empathy and curiosity while others will take offense. John Barton audiencecensorcuriosity share on social
