--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Poetry should be vital--either stirring…" description: "\"Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme glory..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1e/augustine-birrell-22545_blood_poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-o_21763.png" --- # Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its… ![“Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme glory, to do either is enduring fame.” quote by Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1e/augustine-birrell-22545_blood_poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-o_21763.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1e/augustine-birrell-22545_blood_poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-o_21763.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b1e/augustine-birrell-22545_blood_poetry-should-be-vital-either-stirring-o_21763.png) > “Poetry should be vital--either stirring our blood by its divine movements or snatching our breath by its divine perfection. To do both is supreme glory, to do either is enduring fame.” [Augustine Birrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustine-birrell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Poetry must either move us emotionally or astonish us with flawless form; achieving both is the highest artistic triumph, while excelling in one secures lasting reputation. **In simple terms:** Poetry's power lies in emotion or perfection. Key Takeaway Great poetry blends feeling and craft. Themes artistic excellence emotional impact form perfection creative ambition cultural legacy Mood awe inspiration respect Type aphilosophical celebratory didactic When to use this quote - literary criticism - creative writing workshops - art education curricula - cultural commentary - personal reflection Key Concepts poetic inspiration aesthetic standards creative mastery Practical Applications - teaching poetry analysis - guiding aspiring poets Questions to Reflect On - What makes a poem resonate beyond its structure? - How can poets balance emotional depth with technical mastery? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath/) [Breaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breaths/) [Divine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/divine/) [Fame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fame/) [Glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Perfection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfection/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Stirring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stirring/) ## Related quotes > [Poetry is so vital to us until school spoils it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-baker/poetry-is-so-vital-to-us-until-school-spoils-it/) [Russell Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-baker/) > [Poetry is, above all, a singing art of natural and magical connection because, though it is born out of one's person's solitude, it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-kennelly/poetry-is-above-all-a-singing-art-of-natural-and-magical-connection/) [Brendan Kennelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-kennelly/) > [Poetry is as vital to thinking as knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooks-atkinson/poetry-is-as-vital-to-thinking-as-knowledge/) [Brooks Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooks-atkinson/) > [The afternoon is bright, with spring in the air, a mild March afternoon, with the breath of April stirring, I am alone in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-machado/the-afternoon-is-bright-with-spring-in-the-air-a-mild-march-afternoon/) [Antonio Machado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-machado/) > [Yoga is vital because it keeps me in full awareness and connection with my breath.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-gealey/yoga-is-vital-because-it-keeps-me-in-full-awareness-and-connection/) [Grace Gealey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-gealey/) > [Sometimes an answer not yet blowin' in the wind is stirring in the breeze.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/sometimes-an-answer-not-yet-blowin-in-the-wind-is-stirring-in-the/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [So it can be for us as we allow the stirrings of hope to motivate us to action; and then as we act so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-baxter/so-it-can-be-for-us-as-we-allow-the-stirrings-of-hope-to-motivate-us/) [David S. 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