After one has abandoned a belief in God, poetry is that essence which takes its place as life's redemption.
Wallace StevensThe poet's function is to make his imagination . . . become the light in the mind of others. His role, in short, is to help people to live their lives.
Wallace Stevens...after a night spent writing poetry, one is almost happy to hear the milkman at the door.
Wallace StevensIn the same way, you were happy in spring, With the half colors of quarter-things, The slightly brighter sky, the melting clouds, The single bird, the obscure moon- The obscure moon lighting an obscure world Of thing that would never be quite expressed, Where you yourself were never quite yourself And did not want nor have to be.
Wallace Stevens