None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David ThoreauRead
A farmer, a hunter, a soldier, a reporter, even a philosopher, may be daunted; but nothing can deter a poet, for he is actuated by pure love. Who can predict his comings and goings? His business calls him out at all hours, even when doctors sleep.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the unwavering passion and dedication of a poet driven by love, which transcends other professions.
In this quote, Henry David Thoreau illustrates the unique commitment of poets compared to other professions like farmers, hunters, soldiers, reporters, and philosophers. He emphasizes that a poet, motivated by pure love for their craft, remains undeterred by challenges that might discourage others, suggesting that their creative spirit compels them to write and express their thoughts at any time, even outside the conventional hours of work.
In practice
This quote can inspire writers during a poetry reading session.
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.
Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
That grand old poem called Winter
It's more like you write what comes to you... You try to reflect the mood of the songs. Take 'Rearviewmirror', we start off with the music and it kinds of propels the lyrics. It made me feel like I was in a car, leaving something, a bad situation. There's an emotion there. I remembered all the times I wanted to leave.
Every scene should be able to answer three questions: "Who wants what from whom? What happens if they don't get it? Why now?"
The main reason for rewriting is not to achieve a smooth surface, but to discover the inner truth of your characters.
I write scenes - often quite long scenes - mainly because I still get seduced into writing six lines where one and a half will do.
When you read and understand a poem, comprehending its rich and formal meanings, then you master chaos a little.
One man writes a novel. One man writes a symphony. It is essential that one man make a film.
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