The sea is as near as we come to another world.

Quote by Anne Stevenson

Topics: The Present Quotes

A poem might be defined as thinking about feelings - about human feelings and frailties.

A poem might be defined as thinking about feelings - about human feelings and frailties.

I don't like poetry that just slaps violent words on a canvas, as it were.

I don't like poetry that just slaps violent words on a canvas, as it were.

I remain loyal to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert in music and to Shakespeare and...

I remain loyal to Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert in music and to Shakespeare and...

Peter Lucas and I live in Durham but spend a great of time in North...

Peter Lucas and I live in Durham but spend a great of time in North...

I work very hard on all my poems, but most of the work consists of...

I work very hard on all my poems, but most of the work consists of...

I write, or used to write, to explain to myself situations I couldn't otherwise solve...

I write, or used to write, to explain to myself situations I couldn't otherwise solve...

Sylvia Plath was just a month and a half older than I, and when she...

Sylvia Plath was just a month and a half older than I, and when she...

I have always made my own rules, in poetry as in life - though I...

I have always made my own rules, in poetry as in life - though I...

Poets should ignore most criticism and get on with making poetry.

Poets should ignore most criticism and get on with making poetry.

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.

I'm not really quiet or shy. Ask any of my friends! But I always ground...

I'm not really quiet or shy. Ask any of my friends! But I always ground...

My earlier poems were sadder than my poems are today, perhaps because I wrote them...

My earlier poems were sadder than my poems are today, perhaps because I wrote them...

I married a young Englishman in Cambridge in 1955 and have lived in Britain every...

I married a young Englishman in Cambridge in 1955 and have lived in Britain every...

I like rhyme because it is memorable, I like form because having to work to...

I like rhyme because it is memorable, I like form because having to work to...

Yes, I do often write poems from the mind, but I hope I don't ignore...

Yes, I do often write poems from the mind, but I hope I don't ignore...

There is far too much literary criticism of the wrong kind. That is why I...

There is far too much literary criticism of the wrong kind. That is why I...

Blake has always been a favorite, the lyrics, not so much the prophetic books, but...

Blake has always been a favorite, the lyrics, not so much the prophetic books, but...

I think a poet, like a painter, should be a craftsperson.

I think a poet, like a painter, should be a craftsperson.

I play with language a great deal in my poems, and I enjoy that. I...

I play with language a great deal in my poems, and I enjoy that. I...

I did know Ted Hughes and I partly wrote the book to explain to myself...

I did know Ted Hughes and I partly wrote the book to explain to myself...