Breaths Quote by Paul Muldoon
“The point of poetry is to be acutely discomforting, to prod and provoke, to poke us in the eye, to punch us in the nose, to knock us off our feet, to take our breath away.”
About This Quote
Poetry should shock, provoke, and physically jolt the reader, creating intense emotional impact.
In simple terms: Poetry aims to disturb and inspire strong feelings.
Embrace discomfort to deepen artistic expression.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- reading poetry
- writing workshops
- performance art
- public readings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What emotions do you want to evoke?
- When is provocation effective?
Not all audiences appreciate extreme discomfort.