American poetry to me is a sort of relentless, nonstop sermon on human autonomy.

I can be upset by malice. Most critics are very poor poets. Poetry is a craft that takes a lot to appreciate, and there are some critics who have no ear for it. An irresponsible critic can do a lot of psychic damage, but eventually, they don't affect your work.

What is more beautiful than a sea of water with a number of white-winged boats skirting its surface? Poetry and beauty contesting with the wind and the waves!

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

The middle class is doing fine in fiction. But it's not what gets me going. I love the working class, and everyone from it I've met, and think they're incredibly witty, inventive - there's a lot of poetry there.

When I first heard Bob Dylan, I'll be honest, I didn't like him. But I was shallow of mind and didn't understand the poetry. I just judged him on his singing and his guitar playing.

Poetry proceeds from the totality of man, sense, imagination, intellect, love, desire, instinct, blood and spirit together.

I don't think I'd have the stamina, skill or ability to write a novel, but I'd love to write short stories and poetry, because those are my two passions.

The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it.

I think poetry is best read to oneself.

What is more beautiful than a sea of water with a number of white-winged boats skirting its surface? Poetry and beauty contesting with the wind and the waves!

It is impossible to be a mathematician without being a poet in soul.

I'm a huge fan of Toni Morrison. I just think she's so incredible. And also Nayyirah Waheed, who's a poet.

There's a great deal of poetry in working out how things work, cutting bits of metal, trying to mend stuff.

I definitely wish to distinguish American poetry from British or other English language poetry.

Religion is no more possible without prayer than poetry without language, or music without atmosphere.

The thing about great poetry is we have no defenses against it.

Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.

Poetry's always dead, you know? You don't realize how good poetry is until 15 years later.

Every one who has a heart, however ignorant of architecture he may be, feels the transcendent beauty and poetry of the mediaeval churches.