Flowers Quote by Kenneth Koch
““Summer in the trees! “It is time to strangle several bad poets.” / The yellow hobbyhorse rocks to and fro, and from the chimney / Drops the Strangler! The white and pink roses are slightly agitated by the struggle, / But afterwards beside the dead “poet” they cuddle up comfortingly against their vase. They are safer now, no one will compare them to the sea. / Here on the railroad train, one more time, is the Strangler. / He is going to get that one there, who is on his way to a poetry reading. / Agh! Biff! A body falls to the moving floor.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Strangler” in *The Penguin Book of Poetry*, 1972
A surreal, violent tableau uses a strangler metaphor to critique poetic competition, suggesting that eliminating rivals brings temporary safety but also absurdity.
In simple terms: Poetry rivalry depicted as violent, absurd, and oddly comforting.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of destroying competition for creative peace.
Themes
creativity
competition
absurdity
violence
comfort
Mood
darkly humorous
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
satirical
When to use this quote
- poetry workshops
- literary debates
- creative collaborations
- art festivals
Key Concepts
metaphor
satire
literary critique
artistic ego
Questions to Reflect On
- Does eliminating competition truly foster artistic freedom?
- What healthier ways can poets support each other?
A Different Perspective
Violent metaphors may glorify aggression in artistic discourse.
