Poem Quote by Henry Daid Thoreau Journal 26 Jan 1840
““Poetry ~~ No definition of poetry is adequate unless it be poetry itself. The most accurate analysis by the rarest wisdom is yet insufficient, and the poet will instantly prove it false by setting aside its requistions. It is indeed all that we do not know. The poet does not need to see how meadows are something else than earth, grass, and water, but how they are thus much. He does not need discover that potato blows are as beautiful as violets, as the farmer thinks, but only how good potato blows are. The poem is drawn out from under the feet of the poet, his whole weight has rested on this ground. It has a logic more severe than the logician's. You might as well think to go in pursuit of the rainbow, and embrace it on the next hill, as to embrace the whole of poetry even in thought.””
About This Quote
Poetry cannot be fully defined; it exists beyond analysis, rooted in the poet’s innate connection to the world.
In simple terms: Poetry defies definition and lives in the poet.
Key Takeaway
Accept poetry’s mystery and feel it.
Themes
art
poetry
definition
mystery
creativity
Mood
reflective
artistic
philosophical
Type
Poem:1
Poetry:1
Wisdom:0
Poetry Thought:0
Definition Poetry:0
Poetry Adequate:0
Poetry Definition:0
When to use this quote
- reading poetry
- writing exercises
- art criticism
Key Concepts
expressive freedom
subjective experience
intuitive insight
Questions to Reflect On
- What does poetry feel like to you?
- How do you experience poetry without words?
A Different Perspective
Over‑analysis can strip poetry of its soul.
![“I think we need to sort of broaden our definition of poetry, which maybe it's a good thing that they just gave this Nobel Prize to [Bob] Dylan because blurring the lines of song lyrics and also hip-hop for me is like some of the greatest uses - most innovative uses of language in my lifetime.” quote by Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9ff/jim-jarmusch-3256_bob_i-think-we-need-to-sort-of-broaden-our-d_681950.jpg)
