“That sort of poetry is what is technically called 'derivative,' which means that the author copies some one else's emotion, often some one else's words.”

Warning against imitation that substitutes borrowed emotion for experience · Essay, Why We Should Read Poetry

• Poetry
• Truth

“Poetry so full of beauty and feeling, that the study of it is at once an inspiration and a despair to the artist.”

Capturing the mixture of inspiration and humility produced by great craftsmanship · Preface, Sword Blades and Poppy Seed

• Art
• Beauty
• Poetry

“The desire to 'quintessentialize,' to head-up an emotion until it burns white-hot, seems to be an integral part of the modern temper.”

Describing modern poetry as an art of concentrated emotional intensity · Preface, Sword Blades and Poppy Seed

• Art
• Poetry