Art Quote by Barbara Holland
“Once considered an art form that called for talent, or at least a craft that called for practice, a poem now needs only sincerity. Everyone, we're assured, is a poet. Writing poetry is good for us. It expresses our inmost feelings, which is wholesome. Reading other people's poems is pointless since those aren't our own inmost feelings.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Poetry and the Modern World, 1995
The author claims poetry no requires sincerity, that everyone is a poet, and that reading others' poems is pointless because they don't reflect personal feelings.
In simple terms: Poetry is about sincere self‑expression; reading others' work is less valuable.
Key Takeaway
Write poetry that reflects your own emotions.
Themes
creativity
self‑expression
authenticity
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
essay
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal journaling
- creative workshops
- therapy
- education
Key Concepts
sincerity
subjectivity
Questions to Reflect On
- Why might reading others' poetry still be beneficial?
- How does shared art foster empathy?
A Different Perspective
Dismisses the value of shared artistic experience and community.
![“It is not possible, for a poet, writing in any language, to protect himself from the tragic elements in human life… [ellipsis in source] Illness, old age, and death--subjects as ancient as humanity--these are the subjects that the poet must speak of very nearly from the first moment that he begins…” quote by Louise Bogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/610/louise-bogan-12384_age_it-is-not-possible-for-a-poet-writing-in_1035094.jpg)
