I like poems that are daggers that sing.
Frederick SeidelRead
I like poems that are daggers that sing. I like poems that for all the power of the sentiments expressed, and all the power to upset and offend, are so well made that they’re achieved things. However much they upset you, they also affect you.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a preference for poetry that is both impactful and skillfully crafted.
Frederick Seidel values poetry that evokes strong emotions, akin to 'daggers,' while also possessing artistic merit. He suggests that even if such poems disturb the reader, their craftsmanship ensures they leave a lasting effect, highlighting the duality of beauty and pain in art.
Themes
PoetryEmotionArtistryImpactCraftsmanship
In practice
Example use cases
This quote would be perfect to quote during a poetry reading to emphasize the power of poems.
More from Frederick Seidel
All quotes →Similar quotes
The whole excitement for writing anything is quite intense. And for a day or two, you think you've done everything extremely well. The problems start on the third day, and continues for the rest of your life.
Tom StoppardRead
As practice makes perfect, I cannot but make progress; each drawing one makes, each study one paints, is a step forward.
Vincent Van GoghRead
Football is the last sacred ritual of our time.
Pier Paolo PasoliniRead
We could in the United States make as great a variety of wines as are made in Europe, not exactly of the same kinds, but doubtless as good.
Thomas JeffersonRead
You see, what is my purpose of performance artist is to stage certain difficulties and stage the fear the primordial fear of pain, of dying, all of which we have in our lives, and then stage them in front of audience and go through them and tell the audience, 'I'm your mirror; if I can do this in my life, you can do it in yours.'
Marina AbramovicRead
The Mediterranean has the color of mackerel, changeable I mean. You don't always know if it is green or violet, you can't even say it's blue, because the next moment the changing reflection has taken on a tint of rose or gray.
Vincent Van GoghRead