Asks Quote by Tracy K. Smith
“I feel like the older I get, the truer it feels that I'm only going have an investment in a poem if it allows or forces me to bring something that's supremely me onto the page. I used to think that the speaker of a poem was talking to someone else, to some ideal reader or listener, but now I think that speakers - poets - are talking to themselves. The poem allows you to pose questions that you have you ask of yourself knowing that they are unanswerable.”
About This Quote
The poet sees writing as a personal quest, where the poem becomes a dialogue with oneself, exposing unanswerable questions.
In simple terms: Poetry is a self‑conversation that reveals deep questions.
Key Takeaway
Write to explore your own truths.
Themes
self‑discovery
creativity
introspection
Mood
introspective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal journaling
- creative writing
- therapy sessions
Key Concepts
poetry
identity
questioning
Questions to Reflect On
- What unanswerable question does your writing reveal?
- How does self‑dialogue shape your art?
A Different Perspective
Poetry may not provide clear answers, only deeper inquiry.
