To me, a poem that's in rhyme and meter is the difference between watching a film in full color and watching a film in black and white. Not that a few black and white films aren't wonderful. So are certain successful pieces of free verse. X. J. Kennedy blackcolordifference share on social
My real name is Joe Kennedy, but if you live in Massachusetts, you can't sign 'Joe Kennedy.' So, back in 1957, I stuck the X on my name to be different from those people in Hyannis Port. X. J. Kennedy backhyannisjoe Change image and share on social
The attitude that poetry should not be analyzed is prevalent among many who consider themselves experts on children's literature. But I suspected that kids like to look closely at things and figure out what makes them go. X. J. Kennedy analyzeattitudechild share on social
I don't think anybody is a poet 24/7, only in those rare moments when a person is producing a poem. X. J. Kennedy momentpersonpoem Change image and share on social
As a writer given to the old formalities of rhyme and meter, I sometimes feel endangered these days. X. J. Kennedy dayendangerfeel Change image and share on social
I like poems where you don't really know whether to laugh or cry when you read them. X. J. Kennedy crylaughpoem Change image and share on social
