Poetry is innocent, not wise. It does not learn from experience, because each poetic experience is unique.

Poetry is innocent, not wise. It does not learn from experience, because each poetic experience is unique.

Poetry is not a way of saying things; it's a way of seeing things.

To make the child in your own image is a capital crime, for your image is not worth repeating. The child knows this and you know it. Consequently you hate each other.

Keelhaul the poets in the vestry chairs.

The modern essay has regained a good deal of its literary status in our time, much to the credit of Joseph Epstein.

Already old, the question Who shall die? Becomes unspoken Who is innocent?