Attention Quote by Luljeta Lleshanaku
“Words are delicate instruments: How to use them so that, after having read the poem, the taste remaining is not of the words themselves, but of a thought, a situation, a parallel reality? If not used appropriately, words in poetry are like the ugly remains of food after eating. What I mean is that readers will reject words if they don't serve to shift attention from themselves to somewhere else.”
About This Quote
Source Poetry Collection: "The Book of Dreams", 2014
Words should evoke thought and feeling, not dominate the poem itself
In simple terms: Poetry must serve ideas, not just language
Key Takeaway
Choose words that guide readers beyond the text
Themes
poetry
language
perception
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
literary
educational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- literary analysis
- creative writing classes
Key Concepts
metaphor
aesthetic
reader response
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test if words serve the poem’s purpose?
- What revisions help shift focus from words to ideas?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on diction can alienate readers
![“[an encounter in space] "Some celestial event. No--no words--no words to describe it. Poetry! They should have sent a poet. So beautiful. So beautiful...I had no idea. I had no idea.” quote by Carl Sagan as Ellie Arroway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/934/carl-sagan-as-ellie-arroway-95_encounter_an-encounter-in-space-some-celestial-eve_2347837.jpg)
![“His [Death] voice is cold at first, John. It seems unfeeling. But if you listen without fear, you find that when he speaks, the most ordinary words become poetry. When he stands close to you, your life becomes a song, a praise. When he touches you, your smallest talents become gold; the most…” quote by Martine Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b74/martine-leavitt-20406_break_his-death-voice-is-cold-at-first-john-it_934268.jpg)
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
