Home Quote by Donald Hall
“Horace, when he wrote the Ars Poetica, recommended that poets keep their poems home for ten years; don't let them go, don't publish them until you have kept them around for ten years: by that time, they ought to stop moving on you; by that time, you ought to have them right.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Poet's Life" in The Best American Poetry 1991
Poets should let poems mature for years before publishing to gain perspective.
In simple terms: Give writing time to develop before sharing.
Key Takeaway
Allow work to age before release.
Themes
patience
craft
reflection
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
advisory
literary
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- publishing
- editing
- literary journals
Key Concepts
creative process
literary criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How long should a writer wait before publishing?
- What benefits come from revisiting old work?
A Different Perspective
Waiting ten years may be impractical for many writers.
![“I don't like being away from home. That's one reason why I don't work as much as I used to [when I started my career], because so many things are on the road. I just don't want to be away from my husband, my dogs and my home. I don't sing that much any more because that also takes you on the road.” quote by Jane Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/07c/jane-powell-36243_away_i-don-t-like-being-away-from-home-that-s_278.jpg)
