---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So far as I am concerned, poetry and…"
description: "\"So far as I am concerned, poetry and every other art was and is and forever will be strictly and distinctly a question of individuality... If poetry is..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26c/e-e-cummings-2586_ads_so-far-as-i-am-concerned-poetry-and-ever_183983.png"
---

#  So far as I am concerned, poetry and every other art was…

![“So far as I am concerned, poetry and every other art was and is and forever will be strictly and distinctly a question of individuality... If poetry is your goal, you've got to forget all about punishments and all about rewards and all about self-styled obligations and duties and responsibilities…” quote by e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26c/e-e-cummings-2586_ads_so-far-as-i-am-concerned-poetry-and-ever_183983.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26c/e-e-cummings-2586_ads_so-far-as-i-am-concerned-poetry-and-ever_183983.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/26c/e-e-cummings-2586_ads_so-far-as-i-am-concerned-poetry-and-ever_183983.png)

> “So far as I am concerned, poetry and every other art was and is and forever will be strictly and distinctly a question of individuality... If poetry is your goal, you've got to forget all about punishments and all about rewards and all about self-styled obligations and duties and responsibilities etcetera ad infinitum and remember one thing only: that it's you - nobody else - who determine your destiny and decide your fate. Nobody else can be alive for you; nor can you be alive for anybody else... There's the artist's responsibility; and the most awful responsibility on earth.”

[e. e. cummings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-cummings/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote stresses that artistic creation is a deeply personal act, free from external expectations, rewards, or duties; true destiny is self‑determined.

**In simple terms:** Art is personal; you decide your own path.

Key Takeaway

Own your creative destiny.

Themes

individuality creativity responsibility self‑determination artistic freedom

Mood

reflective determined introspective

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- writing poetry
- visual arts
- musical composition
- personal projects
- self‑reflection

Key Concepts

existentialism authenticity self‑expression

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance personal vision with audience expectations?
- What risks arise from ignoring feedback?

A Different Perspective

External validation can still influence creators despite the call for isolation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Etcetera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etcetera/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Individuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Our destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-destiny/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/punishment/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Rewards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rewards/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Your destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-destiny/)

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