Quote by John Ashbery

I don't look on poetry as closed works. I feel they're going on all the time in my head and I occasionally snip off a length.

I don't look on poetry as closed works. I feel they're going

Summary

This quote, attributed to poet Anne Sexton, suggests that poetry is not a static creation but an ongoing process within the mind. Instead of perceiving poems as finished products, she envisions them as constantly evolving and alive in her thoughts. She likens the act of writing poetry to capturing a piece of this ongoing poetic stream by trimming it into a specific length. Sexton's perspective underscores the dynamic nature of creative expression, where poetry is not confined to specific moments but rather a continuous journey of inspiration and inner exploration.

Topics

Poetry

By John Ashbery

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