I'm uncomfortable with the focus on the poet and not on the poem.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of the poetry itself over the poet's identity or persona.
Yusef Komunyakaa critiques the tendency to concentrate more on the poet's background and personal story rather than the intrinsic value and meaning of the poem. He suggests that the essence and message of the poetry should take precedence, advocating for a deeper engagement with the text itself rather than the author's biography.
In practice
This quote can be used in a discussion about the role of authorship in literary analysis.
Students often have such a lofty idea of what a poem is, and I want them to realize that their own lives are where the poetry comes from. The most important things are to respect the language; to know the classical rules, even if only to break them; and to be prepared to edit, to revise, to shape.
It wasn't a deliberate decision to become a poet. It was something I found myself doing - and loving. Language became an addiction.
We have to embrace the good over the bad. That has to be one's personal project.
I originally wanted to embrace the imagery and forthrightness of rap music. There are some interesting, dynamic voices in rap. But I find most of it irresponsible in its overt violence and commercialization of anger. As artists, we believe we can will action through language. If that's the case, we have to take responsibility for what we say.
Poetry helps me understand who I am. It helps me understand the world around me. But above all, what poetry has taught me is the fact that I need to embrace mystery in order to be completely human.
Tonight I feel the stars are out_x000D_ to use me for target practice.
If you don't know what to play, play nothing.
TV is chewing gum for the eyes.
The person whose work introduced me to the craft was Lorraine Hansberry. The person who taught me to love the craft was Tennessee Williams. The person who really taught me the power of the craft was August Wilson, and the person who taught me the political heft of the craft was Arthur Miller.
I love singing jazz. I don't like the idea that classical music should be over here and jazz should be someplace else. It's all wonderful, and we should be open to enjoying it all.
Nothing is contrived. At night, the clothes should pour like liquid over the body.
I would passionately make the case that the harder the times, the more we need things that aren't just about keeping our job and making a buck - important though those things are. Arts programming isn't some sort of add-on or ornamental luxury.
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