What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the pearly shell
That murmurs of the far-off, murmuring sea;
A precious read more

What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the pearly shell
That murmurs of the far-off, murmuring sea;
A precious jewel carved most curiously;
It is a little picture painted well.
What is a Sonnet? 'Tis the tear that fell
From a great poet's hidden ecstasy;
A two-edged sword, a star, a song--ah me!
Sometimes a heavy tolling funeral bell.

morning: that first sapphire dome of glow.

morning: that first sapphire dome of glow.

Poetry is truth dwelling in beauty.

Poetry is truth dwelling in beauty.

Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.

Poetry is the art of uniting pleasure with truth.

Poetry should... should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts, and appear almost a remembrance.

Poetry should... should strike the reader as a wording of his own highest thoughts, and appear almost a remembrance.

Poetry should be common in experience but uncommon in books.

Poetry should be common in experience but uncommon in books.

A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been read more

A good poem is a contribution to reality. The world is never the same once a good poem has been added to it. A good poem helps to change the shape of the universe, helps to extend everyone's knowledge of himself and the world around him.

Writing a poem is discovering

Writing a poem is discovering

A poet must leave traces of his passage, not proof.

A poet must leave traces of his passage, not proof.