When the brain gets as dry as an empty nut,
When the reason stands on its squarest toes,
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When the brain gets as dry as an empty nut,
When the reason stands on its squarest toes,
When the mind (like a beard) has a "formal cut,"--
There is a place and enough for the pains of prose;
But whenever the May-blood stires and glows,
And the young year draws to the "golden prime,"
And Sir Romeo sticks in his ear a rose,--
Then hey! for the ripple of laughing rhyme!

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all read more

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the Nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.

No poems can please for long or live that are written by water drinkers.

No poems can please for long or live that are written by water drinkers.

I've written some poetry I don't understand myself.

I've written some poetry I don't understand myself.

Of our conflicts with others we make rhetoric; of our conflicts with ourselves we make poetry.

Of our conflicts with others we make rhetoric; of our conflicts with ourselves we make poetry.

It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.

It is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself.

Oh love will make a dog howl in rhyme.

Oh love will make a dog howl in rhyme.

With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.

With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.

For it is not metres, but a metre-making argument that makes a
poem.

For it is not metres, but a metre-making argument that makes a
poem.