The woman is not just a pleasure, nor even a problem. She is a meniscus that allows the absolute to have a shape, that lets him skate however briefly on the mystery, her presence luminous on the ordinary and the… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world. To make injustice the only measure of our attention is… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
I had lived all of my youthful dreams, but I couldn't think of many adult ones. I finally realized that we don't have many… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
I dream of lost vocabularies that might express some of what we no longer can. — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
Why do so manysettle for so little? I don't understand why they're not greedy for what's inside them. — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
Suddenly this defeat. This rain. The blues gone gray And the browns gone gray And yellow A terrible amber. In the cold streets Your… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
“A DESCRIPTION OF HAPPINESS IN KOBENHAVN All this windless day snow fell into the King's Garden where I walked, perfecting and growing old, abandoning… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
When I was walking in the mountains with the Japanese man and began to hear the water, he said, 'What is the sound of… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
I'm vain enough to think that I've made a successful life. I've had everything I've ever wanted. You can't beat that. — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
“There was no water at my grandfather’s when I was a kid and would go for it with two zinc buckets. Down the path,… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
“Failing and Flying" Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew. It's the same when love comes to an end, or the marriage fails and people… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
“Horses At Midnight Without A Moon" Our heart wanders lost in the dark woods. Our dream wrestles in the castle of doubt. But there's… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
“Imagine if suffering were real. Imagine if those old people were afraid of death. What if the midget or the girl with one arm… — Jack Gilbert Copy Share Image
