Thus Spoke the Passion of the Poets (Repost for World Poetry Day 2012)

[Passion of the Poets]

Scholars, lovers, and the lonely-hearted all know poetry in their own way and all have their own very lovely relationships with it. But who have a more passionate relationship with poetry than poets themselves? These quotes are presented in honor of their voices and their inspiring dedication to "the flower of language."

 

“If there were no poetry on any day in the world, poetry would be invented that day.  For there would be an intolerable hunger.”
--Muriel Rukeyser 

“We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” 
--from Dead Poet's Society

 

“Poetry is not only dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.”
--Audre Lorde 

 

“If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.” --David Carradine 

 

“When power leads man towards arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.”
--John Fitzgerald Kennedy 

 

“A poet's work is to name the unnameable, to point at frauds, to take sides, start arguments, shape the world, and stop it going to sleep.” --Salman Rushdie 

 

“Poetry is like fish: if it's fresh, it's good; if it's stale, it's bad; and if you're not certain, try it on the cat.”--Osbert Sitwell 

 

“Poetry isn’t a profession, it’s a way of life. It’s an empty basket; you put your life into it and make something out of that.”
--Mary Oliver 

 

“A poet's autobiography is his poetry. Anything else is just a footnote.” Yevgeny Yevtushenko 
“It is the lava of the imagination whose eruption prevents an earthquake.”--George Gordon Noel Byron

 

The great poet Mary Oliver and esteemed translator of Rumi, Coleman Barks, read and chat at the Lannan Foundation.

[Creative Conversation Interviews]

I wasn't so impressed the first time you shared these quotes but events over the past year have made me more appreciative. When somebody like Nelson Mandela can recognize the impact of a poet like Indrid Yonker's work it makes you think a few more times. I haven't seen this film BLACK BUTTERFLIES yet but plan to.

[Starchild Indigo]

Wonderful thoughts and meditations these are. Thank you.

scindigo

 

[Passion of the Poets]

I like them all as well but wonder if Rushdie may have speaking more of his role as a novelist than of the poet's dedication to sculpting truth and beauty out of language.

[In Love With Music]

All of these work for me. Especially what Carradine said. Can I share with you MutaBaruka's "Dis Poem"---