Action Quote by John Ashbery
“My feeling is that most political poetry is preaching to the choir, and that the people who are going to make the political changes in our lives are not the people who read poetry, unfortunately. Poetry not specifically aimed at political revolution, though, is beneficial in moving people toward that kind of action, as well as other kinds of action. A good poem makes me want to be active on as many fronts as possible.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2015
Political poetry often preaches to those already aligned, limiting its impact on change‑makers, yet broader poetry can inspire diverse activism.
In simple terms: Poetry may not reach those who can enact change.
Key Takeaway
Use poetry to inspire broader action.
Themes
politics
art
activism
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
inspirational
analytical
When to use this quote
- campaign planning
- community organizing
- education
- personal motivation
Key Concepts
poetry
influence
social change
Questions to Reflect On
- Who really reads political poetry?
- How can poetry motivate concrete change?
A Different Perspective
Poetry alone may not shift policy without concrete action.
![“The only form of revolution beneficial to the people is one which destroys the entire state to the roots and exterminates all the state traditions, institutions and classes…. Day and night [the revolutionary] must have but one thought, one aim – merciless destruction…for him morality is everything…” quote by Sergey Nechayev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2a5/sergey-nechayev-72206_aim_the-only-form-of-revolution-beneficial-t_1931844.jpg)
