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Favorite poems are like favorite children. We definitely have them but we never tell as the others would have their feelings hurt.
Nikki Giovanni
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Favorite poems evoke strong emotional connections similar to our favorite children, though we may not openly express these preferences to avoid hurting others' feelings.

This quote reflects the intimate and often personal relationship we have with art, particularly poetry. Just like parents might have a favorite child, individuals often hold certain poems closer to their hearts due to their emotional resonance or personal significance. However, the act of sharing this favoritism can be sensitive, as it may imply a rejection of other valuable works or sentiments, showing the complexity of our attachments in both art and interpersonal relationships.

Themes

PoetryFavoritesEmotionArtRelationships

In practice

Example use cases

During a poetry reading, one might quote this to illustrate the personal nature of poetic preferences.

More from Nikki Giovanni

I want to be clear about this. If you wrote from experience, you'd get maybe one book, maybe three poems. Writers write from empathy.
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If you were a pure bolt of fire-cutting the skies I'd touch you-risking my life-not because I'm brave or strong, but because I'm fascinated by what the outcome would be.
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Don't want to be near you for the thoughts we share but the words we never have to speak.
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