If we ask a vague question, such as, 'What is poetry?' we expect a vague answer, such as, 'Poetry is the music of words,' or 'Poetry is the linguistic correction of disorder.'

Quote by A R Ammons

Questions structure and, so, to some extent predetermine answers.

Questions structure and, so, to some extent predetermine answers.

Even if you walk exactly the same route each time - as with a sonnet...

Even if you walk exactly the same route each time - as with a sonnet...

If the greatest god is the stillness all the motions add up to, then we...

If the greatest god is the stillness all the motions add up to, then we...

I take the walk to be the externalization of an interior seeking so that the...

I take the walk to be the externalization of an interior seeking so that the...

I can't tell you where a poem comes from, what it is, or what it...

I can't tell you where a poem comes from, what it is, or what it...

In nature there are few sharp lines.

In nature there are few sharp lines.

For though we often need to be restored to the small, concrete, limited, and certain,...

For though we often need to be restored to the small, concrete, limited, and certain,...

Everything is discursive opinion instead of direct experience.

Everything is discursive opinion instead of direct experience.

The poet exposes himself to the risk. All that has been said about poetry, all...

The poet exposes himself to the risk. All that has been said about poetry, all...

Only silence perfects silence.

Only silence perfects silence.

Poetry leads us to the unstructured sources of our beings, to the unknown, and returns...

Poetry leads us to the unstructured sources of our beings, to the unknown, and returns...

Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful.

Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful.

Definition, rationality, and structure are ways of seeing, but they become prisons when they blank...

Definition, rationality, and structure are ways of seeing, but they become prisons when they blank...

You have your identity when you find out, not what you can keep your mind...

You have your identity when you find out, not what you can keep your mind...

Once every five hundred years or so, a summary statement about poetry comes along that...

Once every five hundred years or so, a summary statement about poetry comes along that...

There's something to be said in favor of working in isolation in the real world.

There's something to be said in favor of working in isolation in the real world.

That's a wonderful change that's taken place, and so most poetry today is published, if...

That's a wonderful change that's taken place, and so most poetry today is published, if...

Besides the actual reading in class of many poems, I would suggest you do two...

Besides the actual reading in class of many poems, I would suggest you do two...