Poetry is a street fighter. It has sharp elbows. It can look after itself. Poetry can't be used for manipulation; it's why you never see good poetry in advertising.
David WhyteRead
A good poem looks life straight in the face, unflinching, sincere, equal to revelation through loss or gain.
Interpretation
A good poem captures the essence of life honestly, embracing both its joys and sorrows.
In this quote, David Whyte emphasizes the importance of authenticity in poetry, suggesting that a true poem reflects the complexities of life without hesitation. It confronts life's realities—both good and bad—showing that profound understanding and beauty can emerge from either loss or gain.
In practice
Using this quote to encourage writers in a poetry workshop to embrace vulnerability in their work.
Poetry is a street fighter. It has sharp elbows. It can look after itself. Poetry can't be used for manipulation; it's why you never see good poetry in advertising.
Poetry is often the art of overhearing yourself say things you didn't know you knew. It is a learned skill to force yourself to articulate your life, your present world or your possibilities for the future.
By definition, poetry works with qualities and dynamics that mainstream society is reluctant to face head-on. It's an interesting phenomenon that by necessity, poetry is just below the radar.
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