Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind from the great outdoors; is it possible that this was in fact their first purpose?

Quote by Howard Nemerov

Topics: Howard Nemerov Quotes

The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job. My wife told...

The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job. My wife told...

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...

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...

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...

Mostly the thought and the verse come inseparably. In my poem Poetics, it's as close...

Mostly the thought and the verse come inseparably. In my poem Poetics, it's as close...

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...

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.

Once in awhile you have a thought, and you rhyme it.

Once in awhile you have a thought, and you rhyme it.

I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely...

I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely...

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

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

A lot happens by accident in poetry.

A lot happens by accident in poetry.

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

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...

Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's...

Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's...

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

The spirit world doesn't admit to communicating with me, so it's fairly even.

The spirit world doesn't admit to communicating with me, so it's fairly even.

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...

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...

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...