Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed.

Quote by Howard Nemerov

Topics: Howard Nemerov Quotes

When modern writers gave up telling stories, they gave up the greatest thing we had.

When modern writers gave up telling stories, they gave up the greatest thing we had.

I think there's one thing which distinguishes our art - we don't consider. We don't...

I think there's one thing which distinguishes our art - we don't consider. We don't...

When I was starting to write, the great influence was T.S. Eliot and after that...

When I was starting to write, the great influence was T.S. Eliot and after that...

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

I never abandoned either forms or freedom. I imagine that most of what could be...

I never abandoned either forms or freedom. I imagine that most of what could be...

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

I've thought of the last line of some poems for years and tried them out,...

I've thought of the last line of some poems for years and tried them out,...

We're not in love with Literature all the time - especially when you have to...

We're not in love with Literature all the time - especially when you have to...

Occasionally a student writer comes up with something really beautiful and moving, and you won't...

Occasionally a student writer comes up with something really beautiful and moving, and you won't...

Shakespeare tells the same stories over and over in so many guises that it takes...

Shakespeare tells the same stories over and over in so many guises that it takes...

I sometimes talk about the making of a poem within the poem.

I sometimes talk about the making of a poem within the poem.

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier.

I do insist on making what I hope is sense so there's always a coherent...

I do insist on making what I hope is sense so there's always a coherent...

I like all my children, even the squat and ugly ones.

I like all my children, even the squat and ugly ones.

Language is remarkable, except under the extreme constraints of mathematics and logic, it never can...

Language is remarkable, except under the extreme constraints of mathematics and logic, it never can...

When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which...

When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which...

I have a plot, but not much happens.

I have a plot, but not much happens.

I liked the kid who wrote me that he had to do a term paper...

I liked the kid who wrote me that he had to do a term paper...

Language cares.

Language cares.

It may be said that poems are in one way like icebergs: only about a...

It may be said that poems are in one way like icebergs: only about a...