The art has to make it on its own, without explanations, and itโs the same for poetry. If the poem or the painting has to be explained, then itโs a failure in communication.
Lawrence FerlinghettiWe have to raise the consciousness; the only way poets can change the world is to raise the consciousness of the general populace.
Lawrence FerlinghettiSee it was like this when we waltz into this place. A couple of papish cats is doing an Aztec two-step And I says Dad let's cut but then this dame comes up behind me see and says you and me could really exist Wow I says Only the next day she has bad teeth and really hates poetry.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti[in the true mad north] of introspection, where 'falcons of the inner eye' dive and die, glimpsing in their dying fall, all life's memory of existence.
Lawrence FerlinghettiWe'd like to just write nothing but lyric poetry. The trouble is, the individual is going along intent on his own personal gratifications and love affairs and financial affairs and everything else. But loping alongside him is this fascist lout who keeps trying to take over. And if you keep ignoring him, he gets bigger and bigger, so every once in a while the free individual has to turn away from his private pursuits and give this fascist lout a few clouts, and beat him down to size.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti