"A life is not sufficiently elevated for poetry, unless, of course, the life has been made into an art."
-Mark Strand
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"A great many people seem to think writing poetry is worthwhile, even though it pays next to nothing and is not as widely read as it should be.“
-Mark Strand
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"And at least in poetry you should feel free to lie. That is, not to lie, but to imagine what you want, to follow the direction of the poem."
-Mark Strand
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"And yet, in a culture like ours, which is given to material comforts, and addicted to forms of entertainment that offer immediate gratification, it is surprising that so much poetry is written."
-Mark Strand
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"I believe that all poetry is formal in that it exists within limits, limits that are either inherited by tradition or limits that language itself imposes."
-Mark Strand
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"I certainly can't speak for all cultures or all societies, but it's clear that in America, poetry serves a very marginal purpose. It's not part of the cultural mainstream."
-Mark Strand
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"I think the best American poetry is the poetry that utilizes the resources of poetry rather than exploits the defects or triumphs of the poet's personality."
-Mark Strand
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"I write poetry in order to live more fully."
-Judith Rodriguez
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"He fertilizes a phrase or a line of poetry for weeks and then gives birth to it in a speech."
-John Colville
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"Poetry uses the hub of a torque converter for a jello mold."
-Diane Glancy
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"Poetry asks people to have values, form opinions, care about some other part of experience besides making money and being successful on the job."
-Toi Derricotte
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"For there is a sound reasoning upon all flowers. For flowers are peculiarly the poetry of Christ."
-Christopher Smart
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"I don't know a better preparation for life than a love of poetry and a good digestion."
-Zona Gale
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