Actualization Quote by Anne Waldman
“The puzzle and conundrums of Emily Dickinson's poetry or The Cantos, by Ezra Pound, is infinitely pleasurable. Or Ronald Johnson's Ark. And the experience extends a whole lifetime. But the intensity of certain vocalized language affects our bodies in a particular way, and that further actualization propels me. The Greeks explored this; there were very particular meters used in making war, different ones for a love chant.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Poetry of the Mind,” 2015
Poetry’s complex structures and vocal rhythms deeply affect the body and mind, linking ancient meters to modern experience.
In simple terms: Poetry’s rhythm influences emotions and perception.
Key Takeaway
Pay attention to how poetic form moves you.
Themes
art
language
embodiment
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading poetry
- writing workshops
- performance art
Key Concepts
meter
phonetics
historical influence
Questions to Reflect On
- Which poetic rhythm resonates most with you?
- How does ancient meter shape modern feeling?
A Different Perspective
Complex analysis may alienate casual readers.
![“[On Ezra Pound:] A village explainer, excellent if you were a village, but if you were not, not.” quote by Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23a/gertrude-stein-667_excellent_on-ezra-pound-a-village-explainer-excell_606303.jpg)
![“The role of the poet is almost nothing...drearily nothing. And when he steps outside of his boots and tries to get tough as our dear Ezra [Pound] did, he will get his pink little ass slapped.” quote by Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/603/charles-bukowski-73_ass_the-role-of-the-poet-is-almost-nothing-d_484597.jpg)
![“We pride ourselves at Natrona - I mean, pride {ironically] - on developing a noncompetitive community. That's very important. The values that can come from that kind of meditative work combined with the creative work you do, combined with your activism, can come together.” quote by Anne Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/392/anne-waldman-4046_activism_we-pride-ourselves-at-natrona-i-mean-pri_100312.jpg)
![“I had parents who were attentive to what was going on politically. There was the Greek connection, a sense of a larger world. People coming in from abroad. There was a sense of community around ideas: a discourse and an adhesiveness which is my favorite word from [Walt] Whitman.” quote by Anne Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/anne-waldman-4046_community_i-had-parents-who-were-attentive-to-what_388144.jpg)
![“I think anything that gets people outside [is good] - I'm a big supporter of public parks and public spaces.” quote by Anne Waldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ff5/anne-waldman-4046_beach_i-think-anything-that-gets-people-outsid_460472.jpg)
