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24. April 2009 07:18 by J. Patrick Lewis - View Profile
Friday With J. Patrick Lewis: What Is Poetry Revisited?

At poetry slams, the most striking poem is seldom the one that gets the loudest applause.

Poetry is best performed quietly to an audience of one.

To leave the greats of the past unread is to write in a bubble.

The finest free verse poets know that you must learn the rules before you breakthem.

Imitation is not plagiarism; imitation is practice.

Poetry? Lies, all lies. Isn't it wonderful? More...

24. April 2009 07:18 by J. Patrick Lewis | Comments (0) | Permalink |
15. April 2009 11:41 by J. Patrick Lewis - View Profile
More From J Patrick Lewis. What Is Poetry?

"A poem is like a bowl of roses," said Lawrence Ferlinghetti. "It should never have to be explained."

Keep a poem in your pocket?  All right, fine.  But keep a pocket in your poem, and let the pocket have a hole in it, a Swiss Army knife, blue taffeta fringe, sixaggies, a hawk feather or a lottery ticket. Poetry, like life, is in the details.

A great metaphor makes the original image blush.

Hearing at least one poem should be part of every child’s every day experience.

A great poet, as Clive James said of Emily Dickinson, is someone “who could enamel the inside of a raindrop.” More...

15. April 2009 11:41 by J. Patrick Lewis | Comments (0) | Permalink |
8. April 2009 01:43 by J. Patrick Lewis - View Profile
What Is Poetry? J Patrick Lewis: Some New. Some Old. 40 Proems

Despite its sound, the word proem does not mean a prose poem.

Nor is it a self-evident truth.

A proem is an introduction, a preface perhaps, or as is the case here, an invitation meant to provoke discussion.

*  *

Muchof children’s poetry today is not splendid but Splenda-ed.

Poetryis a blind date with enchantment.

Poets write to keep experience from oblivion.

When your muse takes a holiday, consider a spider weaving a web, take in a ball game, talk to your loquacious uncle. Substitute muses roam the world.

Poems based on “feelings” are often absent of feeling.

When ever I see the word “sincere” in a poem, I stop reading.

A poem is to a video game what a painting is to a graffito.

The eternal question: Where does a poet get his ideas? I believe they rise, after afew hours, through the bottom of a chair.

The idea for a poem does not begin with an idea: it begins with a word, a phrase.

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8. April 2009 01:43 by J. Patrick Lewis | Comments (0) | Permalink |

 

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