Good Quote by Derek Walcott
“When poems are no good they don't make any sense.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Poetry and the Human Condition, 1995
When poetry fails to convey meaning, it loses its purpose and confuses readers.
In simple terms: Bad poetry is meaningless.
Strive for clarity in poetry.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- literature classes
- reading groups
- publishing
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a poem resonate?
- When is ambiguity valuable?
Not all poetry aims for literal sense; ambiguity can be intentional.