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. |
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Page 12
... understanding if they are over - emphasized . For them we miss what is central , sacrifice first things for what are at best secondary . Among these second - rate matters in which discussion of poetry often wanders and loses itself ...
... understanding if they are over - emphasized . For them we miss what is central , sacrifice first things for what are at best secondary . Among these second - rate matters in which discussion of poetry often wanders and loses itself ...
Page 21
... understanding their voices . If we do not , for one reason or another , attain to fellow- ship with these saints and giants , it is hardly cause for weeping , since so much remains besides , so many , to speak persuasively to us , in ...
... understanding their voices . If we do not , for one reason or another , attain to fellow- ship with these saints and giants , it is hardly cause for weeping , since so much remains besides , so many , to speak persuasively to us , in ...
Page 67
... understanding sympathy , the good mind sees farther and deeper than the " average mind . " Where gossip , or a news- paper account of a murder , is content with the superficial and ephemeral aspects of an experience , the poet " digs in ...
... understanding sympathy , the good mind sees farther and deeper than the " average mind . " Where gossip , or a news- paper account of a murder , is content with the superficial and ephemeral aspects of an experience , the poet " digs in ...
Contents
OUTLINE FOR A DEFENSE | 1 |
LIONS IN THE PATH | 23 |
THE READING AND THE READINGS OF THE POEM | 39 |
Copyright | |
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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