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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Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen
Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.
Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.
Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.
Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.
Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.
Poetry is an echo, asking a shadow to dance.
It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.
It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.
If Galileo had said in verse that the world moved, the inquisition might have let him alone.
If Galileo had said in verse that the world moved, the inquisition might have let him alone.
Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.
Poetry is the rhythmical creation of beauty in words.
Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.
Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.
Poetry is something more philosophical and more worthy of serious
attention than history.
Poetry is something more philosophical and more worthy of serious
attention than history.
