A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom.

The question that he frames in all but words is what to make of a diminished thing.

Nature's first green is gold.

Humour is the most engaging cowardice. With it myself I have been able to hold some of my enemy in play far out of gunshot.

Of course there is matter for remark in poems. Nobody denies that. But it must be solemnly laid on everybody in this world to make his own observations and remarks. That's what we mean by thinking, and that's about all we mean. A teacher says to a pupil "Watch me notice a few things in the next few months: let's see you notice a few things too."

One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

The people I want to hear about are the people who take risks.