The life you have led doesn't need to be the only life you have.
Anna QuindlenRead
People who are knowledgeable about poetry sometimes discuss it in that knowing, rather hateful way in which oenophiles talk about wine: robust, delicate, muscular. This has nothing to do with how most of us experience it, the heart coming around the corner and unexpectedly running into the mind. Of all the words that have stuck to the ribs of my soul, poetry has been the most filling.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Poetry is deeply personal and subjective, often misunderstood by those who analyze it academically.
In this quote, Anna Quindlen reflects on the way poetry is often discussed by experts in a detached and technical manner, contrasting it with the genuine and emotional experience that most people have when they encounter poetry. She emphasizes that for her, poetry is not just an art form, but something that nourishes the soul and resonates on a deeper level, highlighting the emotional connection we can have with words.
Themes
PoetryEmotionExperienceSoulArt
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of art in our lives, you could use this quote to highlight the emotional depth of poetry.
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I conveniently forgot to remember that people only have two hands, or, as another parent once said of having a third child, it's time for a zone defense instead of man-to-man.
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