It's difficult to talk about [W.S.] Merwin's poems, as…
![“It's difficult to talk about [W.S.] Merwin's poems, as it's hard to talk about a feeling or a smell. It is what it is, but so much so that it overwhelms both sense and the senses. I aspire to something about his work, that imbues his poems, though I'm not sure I could say what that is. A purity…” quote by Dorianne Laux](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/8c1/dorianne-laux-12252_aspire_it-s-difficult-to-talk-about-w-s-merwin_654128.png)
“It's difficult to talk about [W.S.] Merwin's poems, as it's hard to talk about a feeling or a smell. It is what it is, but so much so that it overwhelms both sense and the senses. I aspire to something about his work, that imbues his poems, though I'm not sure I could say what that is. A purity, maybe, the kind of purity that comes from being beaten, like steel.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote reflects the challenge of describing poetry’s intangible qualities, likening it to an overwhelming sensory experience that resists precise language.
In simple terms: Poetry is hard to describe because it feels like a scent or a feeling.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the mystery of poetic feeling rather than force description.
Themes
art
expression
intuition
sensory perception
purity
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Literary criticism
- writing workshops
- personal reflection
- teaching poetry
Key Concepts
Aesthetic experience
emotional resonance
creative inspiration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you convey a poem’s feeling without naming it?
- What does “purity from being beaten” suggest about artistic resilience?
A Different Perspective
Poetry may lose its power if over‑analyzed or forced into literal explanation.