"I dislike literary jargon and never use it. Criticism has only one function and that is to help readers read and understand literature. It is not a science, it is an aid to art."
-Anne Stevenson
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"Each word bears its weight, so you have to read my poems quite slowly.“
-Anne Stevenson
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"Poets should ignore most criticism and get on with making poetry."
-Anne Stevenson
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"I'm not really quiet or shy. Ask any of my friends! But I always ground my poetry in life itself. Poetry is an art of language, though, so I am always aware of every word's meaning, or multiple meanings."
-Anne Stevenson
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"I have always made my own rules, in poetry as in life - though I have tried of late to cooperate more with my family. I do, however, believe that without order or pattern poetry is useless."
-Anne Stevenson
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"I don't like poetry that just slaps violent words on a canvas, as it were."
-Anne Stevenson
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"I did know Ted Hughes and I partly wrote the book to explain to myself and others the complexities of a marriage that was for six years wonderfully productive of poetry and then ended in tragedy."
-Anne Stevenson
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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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