Aspire Quote by Dorianne Laux
![“It's difficult to talk about [W.S.] Merwin's poems, as it's hard to talk about a feeling or a smell. It is what it is, but so much so that it overwhelms both sense and the senses. I aspire to something about his work, that imbues his poems, though I'm not sure I could say what that is. A purity…” quote by Dorianne Laux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8c1/dorianne-laux-12252_aspire_it-s-difficult-to-talk-about-w-s-merwin_654128.jpg)
“It's difficult to talk about [W.S.] Merwin's poems, as it's hard to talk about a feeling or a smell. It is what it is, but so much so that it overwhelms both sense and the senses. I aspire to something about his work, that imbues his poems, though I'm not sure I could say what that is. A purity, maybe, the kind of purity that comes from being beaten, like steel.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Poets on Poetry, 1995
The quote reflects the challenge of describing poetry’s intangible qualities, likening it to an overwhelming sensory experience that resists precise language.
In simple terms: Poetry is hard to describe because it feels like a scent or a feeling.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the mystery of poetic feeling rather than force description.
Themes
art
expression
intuition
sensory perception
purity
Mood
contemplative
introspective
Type
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Literary criticism
- writing workshops
- personal reflection
- teaching poetry
Key Concepts
Aesthetic experience
emotional resonance
creative inspiration
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you convey a poem’s feeling without naming it?
- What does “purity from being beaten” suggest about artistic resilience?
A Different Perspective
Poetry may lose its power if over‑analyzed or forced into literal explanation.
