Poetry Quote by Wallace Stevens
““The Planet On The Table Ariel was glad he had written his poems. They were of a remembered time Or of something seen that he liked. Other makings of the sun Were waste and welter And the ripe shrub writhed. His self and the sun were one And his poems, although makings of his self, Were no less makings of the sun. It was not important that they survive. What mattered was that they should bear Some lineament or character, Some affluence, if only half-perceived, In the poverty of their words, Of the planet of which they were part.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Planet On The Table Ariel” (from *The Collected Poems of Wallace Stevens*, 1962)
The poet reflects on the unity of self and nature, suggesting that artistic creation mirrors the cosmos, and its value lies in its character, not its survival.
In simple terms: Art mirrors nature; value is in character, not longevity.
Key Takeaway
Create with authenticity, not for fame.
Themes
art
nature
creativity
identity
impermanence
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing poetry
- visual art
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
cosmic unity
self‑expression
poetic imagination
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean for your work to be part of something larger?
- How do you balance personal expression with external expectations?
A Different Perspective
Creative works may be misunderstood or ignored.
![“Dr Blair . . . asked . . . whether he thought any man of a modern age could have written such poems [Ossian] . . . 'Yes, Sir, many men, many women, and many children.'” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad6/samuel-johnson-50_age_dr-blair-asked-whether-he-thought-any-ma_217636.jpg)
