A meme from Pris Campbell: “Give us at least 10 quotations pertaining to poetry – from 10 different writers &/or poets which best coincide with your philosophy vis a vis ars poetica. They can be posthumous or otherwise. The order is not important – unless it is to you.”

If the number ten is too daunting, go for less.

Here are mine:

“If you do not believe in poetry, you cannot write it.” Wallace Stevens

 

“Poetry often enters through the window of irrelevance.” M. C. Richards

“All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.” Oscar Wilde

 

“Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” T. S. Eliot

 

“The poet doesn’t invent. He listens.” Jean Cocteau

 

“When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” John F. Kennedy

 

“Poetry is nearer to vital truth than history.” Plato, Ion

 

“Poetry is the breath and finer spirit of all knowledge.” William Wordsworth

 

“Poetry heals the wounds inflicted by reason.” Novalis

 

“You will find poetry no where unless you bring some of it with you.” Joseph Joubert

I’m tagging Collin Kelley, Kirby Olson, Sherry Chandler, Jenni Russell, and anyone else who wants to be tagged.