Quote by John Ashbery

The poem is sad because it wants to be yours, and cannot be.

The poem is sad because it wants to be yours, and cannot be.

Summary

This quote suggests that the sadness in a poem stems from its yearning to belong to someone, but being incapable of doing so. The poet may pour their emotions into their work, hoping for it to resonate with someone and be cherished. However, the poem remains detached and separate, unable to truly belong to anyone. The quote highlights the beautiful yet poignant nature of poetry as a reflection of the poet's desires for connection and understanding that remains unfulfilled.

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Sad

By John Ashbery

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