--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: THE FIGURE A POEM MAKES No one can really…" description: "\"“THE FIGURE A POEM MAKES No one can really hold that ecstasy should be static and stand still in one place. It begins in delight, it inclines to the im..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76b/robert-frost-371_ecstasy_the-figure-a-poem-makes-no-one-can-reall_769525.png" --- # THE FIGURE A POEM MAKES No one can really hold that… ![“THE FIGURE A POEM MAKES No one can really hold that ecstasy should be static and stand still in one place. It begins in delight, it inclines to the impulse, it assumes direction with the first line laid down, it runs a course of lucky events, and ends in a clarification of life- Not necessarily a…” quote by Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76b/robert-frost-371_ecstasy_the-figure-a-poem-makes-no-one-can-reall_769525.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76b/robert-frost-371_ecstasy_the-figure-a-poem-makes-no-one-can-reall_769525.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76b/robert-frost-371_ecstasy_the-figure-a-poem-makes-no-one-can-reall_769525.png) > ““THE FIGURE A POEM MAKES No one can really hold that ecstasy should be static and stand still in one place. It begins in delight, it inclines to the impulse, it assumes direction with the first line laid down, it runs a course of lucky events, and ends in a clarification of life- Not necessarily a great clarification, such as sects and cults are founded on, but in a momentary stay against confusion.”” [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote describes how a poem evolves from initial inspiration to a clarified, though temporary, understanding of life, emphasizing its dynamic, non‑static nature. **In simple terms:** A poem moves from delight to insight, never staying still. Key Takeaway Embrace the fluid process of creation. Themes creativity art expression clarification Mood reflective inspired Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - writing a poem - teaching literature - personal reflection - artistic brainstorming Key Concepts poetics dynamic process impermanence Questions to Reflect On - How does the initial impulse shape your work? - Can temporary clarity be valuable? A Different Perspective The insight may be fleeting and not universally profound. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ecstasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy/) [Ecstasy Static](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy-static-5950784/) [Figure Poem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figure-poem-1392130/) [Hold Ecstasy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hold-ecstasy-5950785/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Poem Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poem-makes-1392131/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) ## Related quotes > [The figure a poem makes. It begins in delight and ends in wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-figure-a-poem-makes-it-begins-in-delight-and-ends-in-wisdom/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [The figure a poem makes. It begins in delight and ends in wisdom... in a clarification of life - not necessarily a great clarification,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-figure-a-poem-makes-it-begins-in-delight-and-ends-in-wisdom-in-a/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [It should be of the pleasure of a poem itself to tell how it can. The figure a poem makes. It begins in delight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/it-should-be-of-the-pleasure-of-a-poem-itself-to-tell-how-it-can-the/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [When a man makes a poem, makes it, mind you, he takes words as he finds them interrelated about him and composes them -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carlos-williams/when-a-man-makes-a-poem-makes-it-mind-you-he-takes-words-as-he-finds/) [William Carlos Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carlos-williams/) > [Poetic success is when you write a poem that makes you excited and bewildered and aglow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthea-harvey/poetic-success-is-when-you-write-a-poem-that-makes-you-excited-and/) [Matthea Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthea-harvey/) > [There's something immediate about the experience of reading a poem. It makes sense in my own mind, but I'm trying to figure out a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-powers/there-s-something-immediate-about-the-experience-of-reading-a-poem-it/) [Kevin Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-powers/) > [A poem makes clear without making simple. Poetry's language carries what lives outside language. It's as if you were given a 5-gallon bucket with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-hirshfield/a-poem-makes-clear-without-making-simple-poetry-s-language-carries/) [Jane Hirshfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-hirshfield/) > [“Isn’t it amazing, amazing, amazing that something so specific can be so resonant? These are the filaments, filaments, filaments from that Walt Whitman poem.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ze-frank/isn-t-it-amazing-amazing-amazing-that-something-so-specific-can-be-so/) [Ze Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ze-frank/) > [Again like Williams, with the emphasis now regrettable, when a man makes a poem, makes it mind you, he takes the words as he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-creeley/again-like-williams-with-the-emphasis-now-regrettable-when-a-man/) [Robert Creeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-creeley/) > [“..the poem is made of sequences in which images, figures of speech and rhythm are undivided. One needs to enter this ‘undivision’", and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-deguy/the-poem-is-made-of-sequences-in-which-images-figures-of-speech-and/) [Michel Deguy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-deguy/) > [When words become a poem, it makes sense to me, but I don't know how to explain to someone why the words are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kay/when-words-become-a-poem-it-makes-sense-to-me-but-i-don-t-know-how-to/) [Sarah Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kay/) > [Many performance poets seem to believe that yelling a poem makes it comprehensible. They are wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-nelson/many-performance-poets-seem-to-believe-that-yelling-a-poem-makes-it/) [Marilyn Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-nelson/) > [When you meditate you feel joy, harmony, peace, stillness, ecstasy, laughter, certainty, courage, strength, awareness and immortality. In the beginning you will feel these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-you-meditate-you-feel-joy-harmony-peace-stillness-ecstasy/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“It is the capacity to feel consuming grief and pain and despair that also allows me to embrace love and joy and beauty with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-white/it-is-the-capacity-to-feel-consuming-grief-and-pain-and-despair-that/) [Anna White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-white/) > [Just be what it is that you are, and that is just fine. You don't have to be what you're not in any way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/just-be-what-it-is-that-you-are-and-that-is-just-fine-you-don-t-have/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) ## More by Robert Frost > [The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working when you get up in the morning, and doesn't stop until you get to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-brain-is-a-wonderful-organ-it-starts-working-when-you-get-up-in/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [When I see birches bend to left and right... I like to think some boy's been swinging them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/when-i-see-birches-bend-to-left-and-right-i-like-to-think-some-boy-s/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [“The promising young poets, the hopefuls? I'd name Richard Wilbur, Peter Viereck, Karl Shapiro, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Lowell, John Ciardi...Leonard Bacon...but it is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-promising-young-poets-the-hopefuls-i-d-name-richard-wilbur-peter/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Lord, I have loved Your sky, Be it said against or for me, Have loved it clear and high, Or low and stormy...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/lord-i-have-loved-your-sky-be-it-said-against-or-for-me-have-loved-it/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Let him that is without stone among you cast the first thing he can lay his hands on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/let-him-that-is-without-stone-among-you-cast-the-first-thing-he-can/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [It is only a moment here and a moment there that the greatest writer has. Some cognizance of the fact must be taken in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/it-is-only-a-moment-here-and-a-moment-there-that-the-greatest-writer/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [And of course there must be something wrong In wanting to silence any song.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/and-of-course-there-must-be-something-wrong-in-wanting-to-silence-any/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can't move, and the kind that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/there-are-two-kinds-of-teachers-the-kind-that-fill-you-with-so-much/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [The rose is a rose, And was always a rose. But now the theory goes That the apple's a rose, And the pear is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-rose-is-a-rose-and-was-always-a-rose-but-now-the-theory-goes-that/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee, and I'll forgive Thy great big joke on me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/forgive-o-lord-my-little-jokes-on-thee-and-i-ll-forgive-thy-great-big/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [What an exciting age it is we live in With all this talk about the hope of youth And nothing made of youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/what-an-exciting-age-it-is-we-live-in-with-all-this-talk-about-the/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [The footpath down to the well is healed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/the-footpath-down-to-the-well-is-healed/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [There is the fear that we shan't prove worthy in the eyes of someone who knows us at least as well as we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/there-is-the-fear-that-we-shan-t-prove-worthy-in-the-eyes-of-someone/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [It's God - I recognised him from Blake's picture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/it-s-god-i-recognised-him-from-blake-s-picture/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Create and stir other people to create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/create-and-stir-other-people-to-create/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) [Explore all 624 Robert Frost quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) ## More Ecstasy quotes > [Just be what it is that you are, and that is just fine. You don't have to be what you're not in any way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/just-be-what-it-is-that-you-are-and-that-is-just-fine-you-don-t-have/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Basketball isn't just a sport to me ; it's my ecstasy !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamira-robinson/basketball-isn-t-just-a-sport-to-me-it-s-my-ecstasy/) [Jamira Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamira-robinson/) > [“Haunted by the longing to feel something real, deep and magical; I searched for a shared ecstasy... that's when you came along.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/haunted-by-the-longing-to-feel-something-real-deep-and-magical-i/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [ “Ecstasy is a glass full of tea and a piece of sugar in the mouth." \[From: 19 Lessons On Tea\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pushkin/ecstasy-is-a-glass-full-of-tea-and-a-piece-of-sugar-in-the-mouth-from/) [Alexander Pushkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pushkin/) > [“Human milk is like ice cream, penicillin, and the drug ecstasy all wrapped up in two pretty packages.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-williams/human-milk-is-like-ice-cream-penicillin-and-the-drug-ecstasy-all/) [Florence Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-williams/) > [The highest ecstasy is the attention at its fullest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/the-highest-ecstasy-is-the-attention-at-its-fullest/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > ['Born This Way' is shaping up to be creative ecstasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/born-this-way-is-shaping-up-to-be-creative-ecstasy/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [If a person measures his spiritual fulfillment in terms of cosmic visions, surpassing peace of mind, or ecstasy, then he is not likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-miller/if-a-person-measures-his-spiritual-fulfillment-in-terms-of-cosmic/) [Arthur Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-miller/) > [People tend to link "sex and drugs" because both are condemned by society. Nevertheless, throughout the ages human beings have continually searched for more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-doblin/people-tend-to-link-sex-and-drugs-because-both-are-condemned-by/) [Rick Doblin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-doblin/) > [I revere the memory of Mr. F. as an estimable man and most indulgent husband, only necessary to mention Asparagus and it appeared or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-revere-the-memory-of-mr-f-as-an-estimable-man-and-most-indulgent/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“It is the capacity to feel consuming grief and pain and despair that also allows me to embrace love and joy and beauty with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-white/it-is-the-capacity-to-feel-consuming-grief-and-pain-and-despair-that/) [Anna White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-white/) > [When you meditate you feel joy, harmony, peace, stillness, ecstasy, laughter, certainty, courage, strength, awareness and immortality. In the beginning you will feel these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/when-you-meditate-you-feel-joy-harmony-peace-stillness-ecstasy/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Art is the communication of ecstasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-d-ouspensky/art-is-the-communication-of-ecstasy/) [P.D. Ouspensky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-d-ouspensky/) > [Holidays are in no sense an alternative to the congestion and bustle of the cities and work. Quite the contrary. People look to escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baudrillard/holidays-are-in-no-sense-an-alternative-to-the-congestion-and-bustle/) [Jean Baudrillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baudrillard/) [Browse all 735 Ecstasy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ecstasy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“THE FIGURE A POEM MAKES No one can really hold that ecstasy should be static and stand still in one place. 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