Poetry is the language in which man explores his own amazement... says heaven and earth in one word... speaks of himself and his predicament as though for the first time. It has the virtue of being able to say twice as much as prose in half the time, and the drawback, if you do not give it your full attention, of seeming to say half as much in twice the time.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the power and essence of poetry. It suggests that poetry allows individuals to delve into their own awe and wonder and express it in a profound way. By encompassing the beauty of heaven and earth within a single word, poetry captures the essence of existence. It speaks of the human condition with a sense of freshness as if it were a new discovery. Poetry possesses the ability to convey twice as much meaning as prose in half the duration but requires full engagement to appreciate its depth; otherwise, it may seem to convey less meaning, dragging the perception of time.

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