The poetry that sustains me is when I feel that, for a minute, the clouds have parted and I've seen ecstasy or something.

Quote by Rita Dove

Topics: Rita Dove Quotes

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...

Libraries are where it all begins.

Libraries are where it all begins.

I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge...

I prefer to explore the most intimate moments, the smaller, crystallized details we all hinge...

My favorite poets may not be your bread and butter. I have more favorite poems...

My favorite poets may not be your bread and butter. I have more favorite poems...

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...

Under adversity, under oppression, the words begin to fail, the easy words begin to fail....

Under adversity, under oppression, the words begin to fail, the easy words begin to fail....

The joy of working at something to find out what it means to me is...

The joy of working at something to find out what it means to me is...

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...

In working on a poem, I love to revise. Lots of younger poets don't enjoy...

In working on a poem, I love to revise. Lots of younger poets don't enjoy...

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...

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.

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...

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...

Have you ever heard a good joke? If you've ever heard someone just right, with...

Have you ever heard a good joke? If you've ever heard someone just right, with...

I try to show what it is about language and music that enthralls, because I...

I try to show what it is about language and music that enthralls, because I...

The sound of the mandolin is a very curious sound because it's cheerful and melancholy...

The sound of the mandolin is a very curious sound because it's cheerful and melancholy...

It's the combination of the intimate and the public that I find so exciting about...

It's the combination of the intimate and the public that I find so exciting about...

I write short stories, and I wrote a play.

I write short stories, and I wrote a play.

I was appointed Poet Laureate. It came totally out of the blue because most Poet...

I was appointed Poet Laureate. It came totally out of the blue because most Poet...

I loved to write when I was a child. I wrote, but I always thought...

I loved to write when I was a child. I wrote, but I always thought...