Quotes from Stephen Burt

Some poets marry a language; some have affairs with it; some treat it as a parent, some as a child, some as an equal, or as a friend.

To do a poem justice, explain what makes it unique; to get a poem noticed, explain what makes it typical.

One chance, One life. Make it or screw it up, it's your choice. Don't wait to long or your time will be up.

One chance, One life. Make it or screw it up, it's your choice. Don't wait to long or your time will be up.

TO A POOR OLD WOMAN" munching a plum on the street a paper bag of them in her hand They taste good to her They taste good to her. They taste good to her You can see it by the way she gives herself to the one half sucked out in her hand Comforted a solace of ripe plums seeming to fill the air They taste good to her

FRANK BIDART Song of the Mortar and Pestle The desire to approach obliteration preexists each metaphysic justifying it. Watch him fucked want to get fucked hard. Christianity allowed the flagellants light, for even Jesus found release from flesh requires mortification of the flesh. From the ends of the earth the song is, Grind me into dust.