I have been told by a member of the board of one of Canada's most prominent literary magazines that a submission of mine once caused a great deal of controversy.

Quote by Joe Barton

Topics: Joe Barton Quotes

Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard...

Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard...

You can never step into the same book twice, because you are different each time...

You can never step into the same book twice, because you are different each time...

Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of...

Our flag honors those who have fought to protect it, and is a reminder of...

I became intrigued with colour theory. The absurd pronouncements of the Colour Institute, a group...

I became intrigued with colour theory. The absurd pronouncements of the Colour Institute, a group...

Reading should be a repeat performance.

Reading should be a repeat performance.

I would not say I chose to write long poems on a conscious level. The...

I would not say I chose to write long poems on a conscious level. The...

To me many short poems read and write like beginnings that simply whet my appetite;...

To me many short poems read and write like beginnings that simply whet my appetite;...

I consider a poem to be a kind of experiment where a number of elements...

I consider a poem to be a kind of experiment where a number of elements...

A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor...

A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor...

If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has...

If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has...

The experiment of the poem is mostly intuitive. I write the first draft, pulling in...

The experiment of the poem is mostly intuitive. I write the first draft, pulling in...

I find it exhausting to administer a magazine without an office or paid staff.

I find it exhausting to administer a magazine without an office or paid staff.

The reader's challenge is to replicate the experiment by reading the poem and to draw...

The reader's challenge is to replicate the experiment by reading the poem and to draw...

I have become intrigued with the combining of seemingly unrelated ideas or images, or the...

I have become intrigued with the combining of seemingly unrelated ideas or images, or the...

The American flag is an enduring symbol of liberty, democracy, and justice. It is fitting...

The American flag is an enduring symbol of liberty, democracy, and justice. It is fitting...

Sometimes poetry is inspired by the conversation entered into by reading other poems.

Sometimes poetry is inspired by the conversation entered into by reading other poems.

I have always been very obsessed with time. Time's passage makes us all very vulnerable...

I have always been very obsessed with time. Time's passage makes us all very vulnerable...

My obsession with time informs my poetry so completely it is hard for me to...

My obsession with time informs my poetry so completely it is hard for me to...

Poets have to be sensitive to their audience, but it does not mean that they...

Poets have to be sensitive to their audience, but it does not mean that they...

Most victims of my autobiographical verse are either far too polite, remarkably understanding unaware that...

Most victims of my autobiographical verse are either far too polite, remarkably understanding unaware that...