Have you ever heard a good joke? If you've ever heard someone just right, with the right pacing, then you're already on the way to poetry. It's about using words in very precise ways and using gesture.

Quote by Rita Dove

Topics: Rita Dove Quotes

It's unfortunate that sometimes in schools, there's this need to have things quantified and graded.

It's unfortunate that sometimes in schools, there's this need to have things quantified and graded.

I think children have talent and insight, but it gets beaten out of them.

I think children have talent and insight, but it gets beaten out of them.

Instead of trying to come up and pontificate on what literature is, you need to...

Instead of trying to come up and pontificate on what literature is, you need to...

People write me from all over the country, asking me, and sometimes even telling me,...

People write me from all over the country, asking me, and sometimes even telling me,...

When we are touched by something it's as if we're being brushed by an angel's...

When we are touched by something it's as if we're being brushed by an angel's...

I thought, after the Pulitzer, at least nothing will surprise me quite that much in...

I thought, after the Pulitzer, at least nothing will surprise me quite that much in...

If only the sun-drenched celebrities are being noticed and worshiped, then our children are going...

If only the sun-drenched celebrities are being noticed and worshiped, then our children are going...

Going to the library was the one place we got to go without asking for...

Going to the library was the one place we got to go without asking for...

Being true to yourself really means being true to all the complexities of the human...

Being true to yourself really means being true to all the complexities of the human...

There are distinct duties of a poet laureate. I plan a reading series at the...

There are distinct duties of a poet laureate. I plan a reading series at the...

Being Poet Laureate made me realize I was capable of a larger voice. There is...

Being Poet Laureate made me realize I was capable of a larger voice. There is...

There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.

There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.

What is ironic is that Allen Ginsberg's importance was in its twilight for so many...

What is ironic is that Allen Ginsberg's importance was in its twilight for so many...

I keep the drafts of each poem in color-coded folders. I pick up the folders...

I keep the drafts of each poem in color-coded folders. I pick up the folders...

For years, I had heard about the lack of interest in literature in the U.S....

For years, I had heard about the lack of interest in literature in the U.S....

All of us have moments in our childhood where we come alive for the first...

All of us have moments in our childhood where we come alive for the first...

What writing does is to reveal.

What writing does is to reveal.

Libraries are where it all begins.

Libraries are where it all begins.

If we really want to be full and generous in spirit, we have no choice...

If we really want to be full and generous in spirit, we have no choice...

My father is a chemist, my mother was a homemaker. My parents instilled in us...

My father is a chemist, my mother was a homemaker. My parents instilled in us...