When the brain gets as dry as an empty nut,
When the reason stands on its squarest toes,
When the mind (like a beard) has a "formal cut,"--
There is a place and enough for the pains of prose;
But whenever the May-blood stires and glows,
And the young year draws to the "golden prime,"
And Sir Romeo sticks in his ear a rose,--
Then hey! for the ripple of laughing rhyme!
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A poet is an unhappy being whose heart is torn by secret sufferings, but whose lips are so strangely formed read more
A poet is an unhappy being whose heart is torn by secret sufferings, but whose lips are so strangely formed that when the sighs and the cries escape them, they sound like beautiful music... and then people crowd about the poet and say to him: "Sing for us soon again;" that is as much as to say, "May new sufferings torment your soul.".
It is Homer who has chiefly taught other poets the art of telling lies skillfully.
It is Homer who has chiefly taught other poets the art of telling lies skillfully.
A prose writer gets tired of writing prose, and wants to be a poet. So he begins every line with read more
A prose writer gets tired of writing prose, and wants to be a poet. So he begins every line with a capital letter, and keeps on writing prose.
In poetry, you must love the words, the ideas and the images and rhythms with all your capacity to love read more
In poetry, you must love the words, the ideas and the images and rhythms with all your capacity to love anything at all.
Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all read more
Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.
A poet dares be just so clear and no clearer... He unzips the veil from beauty, but does not remove read more
A poet dares be just so clear and no clearer... He unzips the veil from beauty, but does not remove it. A poet utterly clear is a trifle glaring.
Poetry is the music of the soul, and, above all, of great and feeling souls.
Poetry is the music of the soul, and, above all, of great and feeling souls.
Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.
Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.
