The idea that a poem was a made thing stayed with me, and…
“The idea that a poem was a made thing stayed with me, and I decided then that I wanted to be an artist, not just a diarist. So I put myself through a kind of apprenticeship in writing poetry, and I understood even then that my practice as a poet was deeply related to my reading.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He describes realizing poetry as an art form rather than a diary, leading him to apprentice in poetry and link his practice to reading.
In simple terms: He saw poetry as art, not just diary entries.
Treat reading as artistic training.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary analysis
- personal writing projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does reading shape your poetic voice?
- What apprenticeship could you pursue?
Apprenticeship may not guarantee mastery without mentorship.