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I'm a poet, and I spent my life in poetry.
Edward Hirsch
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses a deep commitment to poetry as a lifelong pursuit.

Edward Hirsch's quote reflects the essence of dedicating one's life to the art of poetry. It suggests that poetry is not just a profession or hobby for Hirsch but a fundamental aspect of his identity and existence, highlighting the power of artistic expression in shaping one's life and worldview.

Themes

PoetPoetryLifeArtDedication

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech at a literary festival to inspire young writers.

More from Edward Hirsch

It's absolutely crucial to maintain my life as a poet.
Edward HirschRead
The commitment to working at poetry is important because a poet is a maker, and a poem is a made thing. We have to honor our feelings by working to transform them into something meaningful and lasting.
Edward HirschRead
As far as I'm concerned, freedom is the most important thing to creativity. You should feel free to write in whatever way, whatever language, feels comfortable to you.
Edward HirschRead
The idea that a poem was a made thing stayed with me, and I decided then that I wanted to be an artist, not just a diarist. So I put myself through a kind of apprenticeship in writing poetry, and I understood even then that my practice as a poet was deeply related to my reading.
Edward HirschRead
And every year there is a brief, startling moment _x000D_ When we pause in the middle of a long walk home and _x000D_ Suddenly feel something invisible and weightless _x000D_ Touching our shoulders, sweeping down from the air: _x000D_ It is the autumn wind pressing against our bodies; _x000D_ It is the changing light of fall falling on us.
Edward HirschRead
When poetry separates from song, then the words have to carry all the rhythm themselves; they have to do all the work. They can't rely on the singing voice.
Edward HirschRead

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