Poets are being pursued by the philosophers today, out of the poverty of philosophy. God damn it, you might think a man had no business to be writing, to be a poet unless some philosophic stinker gave him permission.
William Carlos WilliamsRead
Poetry demands a different material than prose. It uses another facet of the same fact... the spontaneous conformation of language as it is heard.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Poetry and prose differ in their use of language and expressiveness, with poetry capturing the essence of language as it resonates with the reader.
In this quote, William Carlos Williams emphasizes the distinct nature of poetry compared to prose. He suggests that poetry requires a unique approach to language, utilizing its auditory qualities and emotional impact to convey meaning in a way that prose cannot. By declaring that poetry engages with the spontaneous nature of language as it is perceived, he highlights the art form's ability to evoke feelings and thoughts through its rhythmic and musical qualities.
Themes
PoetryLanguageProseArtExpression
In practice
Example use cases
During a literature class, this quote could be used to spark discussion on the differences between poetic and prose forms.
More from William Carlos Williams
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It was the love of love, the love of swallows up all else, a grateful love, a love of natural, of people, of animals, a love ingengering gentleness and goodness that moved meand that I saw in you
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O frost bitten blossoms, That are unfolding your wings From out the envious black branches. Bloom quickly and make much of the sunshine. The twigs conspire against you! Hear hem! They hold you from behind.
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No opinion can be trusted; even the facts may be nothing but a printer's error.
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It is almost impossible to state what one in fact believes, because it is almost impossible to hold a belief and to define it at the same time.
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