The Art of Reading PoetryI do not believe that poetry is mysterious or esoteric. It is for all who can read, who can call words, who have rhythm enough, by nature, so that a jazz orchestra sets feet and hands in motion. Likewise, this invitation is to all. But it is, especially, invitation to those regretfully convinced that poetry is not for them, and to those who think they prefer the unequivocating directness of prose. It is invitation to labor, and after labor, entrance upon pleasure "not to be chang'd by place or time," the peculiar pleasure which poetry is. - Invitation to reading. |
Contents
OUTLINE FOR A DEFENSE | 1 |
LIONS IN THE PATH | 23 |
THE READING AND THE READINGS OF THE POEM | 39 |
Copyright | |
10 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
appear attention ballad beauty become beginning better break close comes contrast dead death detail dream earth effect emotion English example experience expression eyes fall fear feeling figure garden give hand heard heart human idea imagination important interesting John keep kind lady land leave less light lines live look matter meaning mind Miss move nature never night Notice once passed pattern pleasure poem poet poet's poetry probably prose reader reason rest rhythm rime rose seems sense ship sing sleep song sonnet soul sound spirit stand stanza stars story stress Suggestions sweet tears tell thee things thou thought turn understanding verse voice wind write written