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 poem is never finished, only abandoned.
A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
Each word bears its weight, so you have to read my poems quite slowly.
Each word bears its weight, so you have to read my poems quite slowly.
A poem conveys not a message so much as the provenance of a message, an advent of sense.
A poem conveys not a message so much as the provenance of a message, an advent of sense.
All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.
All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.
Poetry should be common in experience but uncommon in books.
Poetry should be common in experience but uncommon in books.
Poetry is truth dwelling in beauty.
Poetry is truth dwelling in beauty.
morning: that first sapphire dome of glow.
morning: that first sapphire dome of glow.
Made poetry a mere mechanic art.
Made poetry a mere mechanic art.
When you write in prose you say what you mean. When you write in rhyme you say what you must.
When you write in prose you say what you mean. When you write in rhyme you say what you must.
