my life

So many poets who think their life stories are important.

dead or alive

The articles that claim poetry is dead or in decline are counterbalanced by those touting that it’s thriving in our culture or reminding us how important poetry is to our lives.

wordplay poetics

When I hear a poet say ‘wordplay’ is an important aspect of his/her poetry, I feel sorry for them, knowing all the insignificant poems they’re bound to write.

important poetry

When one reads enough poems, one learns the important entry points to the universe.

hold firm

I’d rather write a poem that remains important to me, than make a change that feels inauthentic.

deep seething

An important but unfinished poem, like a long dormant volcano, might erupt at any time.

no going back

When you have written an important poem it’s hard to write an ordinary poem.

book as handheld device

Your poetry being printed only makes it more portable, not more important.

quiet please

Silence is too important and shouldn’t be interrupted with trivial sounds.

high notes

He only wanted to sing the arias.

write without

The root of most bad poetry is the eagerness of poets to write even without something important to write about.

important poem

A poem that was a monument in the collective consciousness.