Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's only a fake poem, not a real one. I'm inclined to agree.

Quote by Howard Nemerov

Topics: Howard Nemerov Quotes

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...

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

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

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

Write what you know. That should leave you with a lot of free time.

A lot happens by accident in poetry.

A lot happens by accident in poetry.

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...

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...

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

A chronicle is very different from history proper.

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

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

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is...

For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is...

Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind from the great outdoors; is it...

Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind from the great outdoors; is it...

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

A teacher is a person who never says anything once.

I am not at all clear what free verse is anymore. That's one of the...

I am not at all clear what free verse is anymore. That's one of the...

I have a plot, but not much happens.

I have a plot, but not much happens.

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...

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...

Language cares.

Language cares.

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...

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

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

The nice thing about the Bible is it doesn't give you too many facts. Two...

The nice thing about the Bible is it doesn't give you too many facts. Two...