Writing is like this-you dredge for the poem's meaning the way police dredge for a body. They think it is down there under the black water, they work the grappling hooks back and forth.

Quote by Paul Engle

Topics: Writing Quotes

Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head. Words drip...

Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head. Words drip...

But maybe it's up in the hills under the leaves or in a ditch somewhere....

But maybe it's up in the hills under the leaves or in a ditch somewhere....

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise.

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise.

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved...

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved...

Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head. Words drip...

Verse is not written, it is bled; Out of the poet's abstract head. Words drip...

The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one...

The poet's voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one...

Such were the notes thy once loved poet sung, Till death untimely stopped his tuneful...

Such were the notes thy once loved poet sung, Till death untimely stopped his tuneful...

The best of our theater is standing on tiptoe, striving to see over the shoulders...

The best of our theater is standing on tiptoe, striving to see over the shoulders...

The poet and the politician have this in common: their greatness depends on the courage...

The poet and the politician have this in common: their greatness depends on the courage...

Almost all the noblest things that have been achieved in the world, have been achieved...

Almost all the noblest things that have been achieved in the world, have been achieved...

To be a poet at twenty is to be twenty: to be a poet at...

To be a poet at twenty is to be twenty: to be a poet at...

The poet produces the beautiful by fixing his attention on something real

The poet produces the beautiful by fixing his attention on something real

He lives the poetry that he cannot write. The others write the poetry that they...

He lives the poetry that he cannot write. The others write the poetry that they...

Perhaps no person can be a poet, or can even enjoy poetry, without a certain...

Perhaps no person can be a poet, or can even enjoy poetry, without a certain...

The job of the poet is to render the world - to see it and...

The job of the poet is to render the world - to see it and...

Poets are people who can still see the world through the eyes of children.

Poets are people who can still see the world through the eyes of children.

The poet knows himself only on the condition that things resound in him, and that...

The poet knows himself only on the condition that things resound in him, and that...

Poets, like whores, are only hated by each other

Poets, like whores, are only hated by each other

You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket

You will never be alone with a poet in your pocket

Mediocrity is now, as formerly, dangerous, commonly fatal, to the poet; but among even the...

Mediocrity is now, as formerly, dangerous, commonly fatal, to the poet; but among even the...

What is difficulty? Only a word indicating the degree of strength requisite for accomplishing particular...

What is difficulty? Only a word indicating the degree of strength requisite for accomplishing particular...