I work very hard on all my poems, but most of the work consists of trying not to sound as if I had worked. I try to make them sound as natural as possible, but within a quite strict form,…

Quote by Anne Stevenson

Topics: Anne Stevenson Quotes

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 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...

I am now seventy, rather glad, really, that I won't live to see the horrors...

I am now seventy, rather glad, really, that I won't live to see the horrors...

When everything is for 'fun' nothing is for the good.

When everything is for 'fun' nothing is for the good.

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.

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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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

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 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...

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...

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.

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

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

These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.

These days man knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing.

Things are more like they are now than they ever were before

Things are more like they are now than they ever were before

The present is never our goal: the past and present are our means: the future...

The present is never our goal: the past and present are our means: the future...