Deep Quote by Tracy K. Smith
“You want a poem to unsettle something. There's a deep and interesting kind of troubling that poems do, which is to say, 'This is what you think you're certain of, and I'm going to show you how that's not enough. There's something more that might be even more rewarding if you're willing to let go of what you already know.'”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Unsettling” in The Body’s Question, 2015
Poetry should challenge certainty, revealing deeper layers and rewarding readers who let go of preconceptions.
In simple terms: Poems disturb certainty, offering deeper insight if you let go.
Allow poems to question your assumptions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- reading groups
- writing workshops
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Which beliefs do you hold that need questioning?
- How can you stay open to unsettling art?
May cause discomfort or resistance.