The only way out is the way through, just as you cannot escape death except by dying. Being unable to write, you must examine in writing this being unable, which becomes for the present -henceforth?- the subject to which you… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
When Robert Frost was alive, I was known as the other new England poet, which is to be barely known at all. — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely what the poet wants. — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
When you write it doesn't occur to you that somebody could think different from what you do. — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
Both poet and painter want to reach the silence behind the language, the silence within the language. Both painter and poet want their work… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
Occasionally a student writer comes up with something really beautiful and moving, and you won't know for years if it was an accident or… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
It may be said that poems are in one way like icebergs: only about a third of their bulk appears above the surface of… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind from the great outdoors; is it possible that this was in fact their first purpose? — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
When in still air and still in summertime A leaf has had enough of this, it seems To make up its mind to go;… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
Robert Frost had always said you mustn't think of the last line first, or it's only a fake poem, not a real one. I'm… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
Till I, high in the tower of my time Among familiar ruins, began to cry For accident, sickness, justice, war and crime, Because all… — Howard Nemerov Copy Share Image
