--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The challenge is to keep up with all the…" description: "\"The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the same time I love the old ones.\" — Mary Oliver" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg" --- # The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the… ![“The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the same time I love the old ones.” quote by Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg) > “The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the same time I love the old ones.” [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing appreciation for classic poetry while staying current with emerging voices. **In simple terms:** Loving old poets while discovering new ones. Key Takeaway Embrace both tradition and innovation. Themes literature poetry balance growth curiosity Mood reflective inspired Type advisory contemplative When to use this quote - reading clubs - writing workshops - literary festivals - personal study - online poetry platforms Key Concepts canon contemporary trends literary evolution Questions to Reflect On - How do you discover new poets? - What value do classic poets hold today? A Different Perspective New poets may be less accessible or less vetted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Poets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poets/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I think one ages and one dates. I tend to have a good deal of difficulty in liking some of the new poets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-laughlin/i-think-one-ages-and-one-dates-i-tend-to-have-a-good-deal-of/) [James Laughlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-laughlin/) > [The artist looks for a subject. You know, a lot of new poets don't seem to have a subject. I don't totally understand that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-stern/the-artist-looks-for-a-subject-you-know-a-lot-of-new-poets-don-t-seem/) [Gerald Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-stern/) > [We must all learn a good lesson - how to live together. That is the new challenge of the new world... learning to co-exist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-must-all-learn-a-good-lesson-how-to-live-together-that-is-the-new/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We are more than we imagine ourselves to be. It's what we tell our children, our parents, our friends. But how often do we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-chambers/we-are-more-than-we-imagine-ourselves-to-be-it-s-what-we-tell-our/) [Veronica Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-chambers/) > [My decision to leave Impact had nothing to with their business or finances and everything with me wanting to challenge myself to something new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-carter-iii/my-decision-to-leave-impact-had-nothing-to-with-their-business-or/) [Ethan Carter III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-carter-iii/) > [I'm very conscious of the idea of trying to each time present something that I haven't presented before. It's a challenge to me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbie-hancock/i-m-very-conscious-of-the-idea-of-trying-to-each-time-present/) [Herbie Hancock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbie-hancock/) > [I want to challenge myself in new mediums; I want to leave myself open to different things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rocha/i-want-to-challenge-myself-in-new-mediums-i-want-to-leave-myself-open/) [John Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rocha/) > [There's nothing like the force and challenge of a new ballet to galvanize everyone involved in bringing it to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-kain/there-s-nothing-like-the-force-and-challenge-of-a-new-ballet-to/) [Karen Kain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-kain/) > [I think you're always trying to challenge yourself to do new things and not repeat yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hornsby/i-think-you-re-always-trying-to-challenge-yourself-to-do-new-things/) David Hornsby > [I actually love the challenge of being in a new place where I'm so obviously the foreigner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-olusola/i-actually-love-the-challenge-of-being-in-a-new-place-where-i-m-so/) [Kevin Olusola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-olusola/) > [In my mind there is always a new challenge, there is a new opponent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jannik-sinner/in-my-mind-there-is-always-a-new-challenge-there-is-a-new-opponent/) [Jannik Sinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jannik-sinner/) > [Every game gives you a new challenge, and new problems to solve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ander-herrera/every-game-gives-you-a-new-challenge-and-new-problems-to-solve/) [Ander Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ander-herrera/) > [I wanted to challenge myself and move into something new. I felt that using the name Swans and the sonic attitude that that engenders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gira/i-wanted-to-challenge-myself-and-move-into-something-new-i-felt-that/) [Michael Gira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gira/) > [I love a challenge and when a new centre-back comes in it makes you raise your game. You have to show more, you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-smalling/i-love-a-challenge-and-when-a-new-centre-back-comes-in-it-makes-you/) [Chris Smalling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-smalling/) > [One thing that I'm continually reminded of is just to always find something that will challenge you in a new way, a very new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sheehan/one-thing-that-i-m-continually-reminded-of-is-just-to-always-find/) [Robert Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sheehan/) ## More by Mary Oliver > [Belief isn't always easy. But this much I have learned--- if not enough else--- to live with my eyes open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/belief-isn-t-always-easy-but-this-much-i-have-learned-if-not-enough/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [In this universe we are given two gifts: the ability to love and the ability to question. Which are, at the same time, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/in-this-universe-we-are-given-two-gifts-the-ability-to-love-and-the/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [Poetry is one of the original arts, and it began, as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/poetry-is-one-of-the-original-arts-and-it-began-as-did-all-the-fine/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [The dream of my life is to lie down by a slow river and stare at the light in the trees - to learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-dream-of-my-life-is-to-lie-down-by-a-slow-river-and-stare-at-the/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/tell-me-what-is-it-you-plan-to-do-with-your-one-wild-and-precious-life/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“All important ideas must include the trees, the mountains, and the rivers. • To understand many things you must reach out of your own condition.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/all-important-ideas-must-include-the-trees-the-mountains-and-the/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“Sometimes I think, were I just a little rougher made, I would go altogether to the woods—to my work entirely, and solitude, a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/sometimes-i-think-were-i-just-a-little-rougher-made-i-would-go/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“First Snow The snow began here this morning and all day continued, its white rhetoric everywhere calling us back to why, how, whence such beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/first-snow-the-snow-began-here-this-morning-and-all-day-continued-its/) [mary oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“What can I say that I have not said before? So I’ll say it again. The leaf has a song in it. Stone is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/what-can-i-say-that-i-have-not-said-before-so-i-ll-say-it-again-the/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [The sea is the most beautiful face in our universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-sea-is-the-most-beautiful-face-in-our-universe/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [There is nothing better than work. Work is also play; children know that. Children play earnestly as if it were work. But people grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/there-is-nothing-better-than-work-work-is-also-play-children-know/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“What will you do with your one precious, wild life?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/what-will-you-do-with-your-one-precious-wild-life/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“Poetry is a life-cherishing force. For poems are not words, after all, but fires for the cold, ropes let down to the lost, something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/poetry-is-a-life-cherishing-force-for-poems-are-not-words-after-all/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [“I stood like Adam in his lonely garden On that first morning, shaken out of sleep, Rubbing his eyes, listening, parting the leaves, Like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/i-stood-like-adam-in-his-lonely-garden-on-that-first-morning-shaken/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) > [We all have a hungry heart, and one of the things we hunger for is happiness. So as much as I possibly could, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/we-all-have-a-hungry-heart-and-one-of-the-things-we-hunger-for-is/) [Mary Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) [Explore all 470 Mary Oliver quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/) ## More Challenges quotes > [I know for my wife and I, we always loved the idea of being young parents. 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It can be that hard, and it can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dragos-bratasanu/doing-the-work-to-transform-your-dreams-into-reality-is-like-walking/) [Dragos Bratasanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dragos-bratasanu/) > [I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-want-to-be-perceived-as-a-guy-who-played-his-best-in-all-facets-not/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [People in great groups have blinders on. Their work is all they see. They value failures as learning opportunities. They are optimistic, not realistic,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/people-in-great-groups-have-blinders-on-their-work-is-all-they-see/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [If, as I anticipate, a wide array of personal, portable information/communication devices becomes increasingly important and widespread for information-intensive users, it will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/if-as-i-anticipate-a-wide-array-of-personal-portable-information/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [It's a challenge to work a character's arc into a format in which you only have a very limited amount of time to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginnifer-goodwin/it-s-a-challenge-to-work-a-character-s-arc-into-a-format-in-which-you/) [Ginnifer Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginnifer-goodwin/) > [I personally think if something's not a challenge, there's no point doing it, because you're not gonna learn much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-personally-think-if-something-s-not-a-challenge-there-s-no-point/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Men want a challenge, but they want a challenge they can win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whitney-gaskell/men-want-a-challenge-but-they-want-a-challenge-they-can-win/) Whitney Gaskell > [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Nobody challenges me. 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Who wants to have dinner with the same old easy listening music sounding friends all the time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilton-als/challenging-is-good-like-good-conversation-yes-who-wants-to-have/) [Hilton Als](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilton-als/) [Browse all 8,851 Challenges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the same time I love the old ones.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mary Oliver" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the-new-poets-at-the-same-time-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Challenges" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the-new-poets-at-the-same-time-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2db/mary-oliver-570_challenges_the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the_320255.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The challenge is to keep up with all the new poets at the same time I love the old ones.” — Mary Oliver", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mary Oliver", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-oliver/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The challenge is to keep up...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the-new-poets-at-the-same-time-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-oliver/the-challenge-is-to-keep-up-with-all-the-new-poets-at-the-same-time-i/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```