With me poetry has not been a purpose, but a passion.
Interpretation
Poe expresses that poetry is driven by his deep love for it rather than a mere goal.
In this quote, Edgar Allan Poe emphasizes the intrinsic value of poetry in his life. He suggests that his engagement with poetry stems from a profound passion, rather than viewing it as a task or objective to be accomplished. This indicates the importance of pursuing one's interests for the joy they bring, rather than for external validation or success.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of arts education, you could use this quote to illustrate the necessity of passion in creative pursuits.
But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate; (Ah, let us mourn, for never morrow Shall dawn upon him desolate!) And round about his home the glory That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story Of the old time entombed.
Most writers - poets in especial - prefer having it understood that they compose by a species of fine frenzy - an ecstatic intuition - and would positively shudder at letting the public take a peep behind the scenes.
...the agony of my soul found vent in one loud, long and final scream of despair.
Where the good and the bad and the worst and the best have gone to their eternal rest.
I could have clasped the red walls to my bosom as a garment of eternal peace. "Death," I said, "any death but that of the pit!" Fool! might I have not known that into the pit it was the object of the burning iron to urge me?
In our endeavors to recall to memory something long forgotten, we often find ourselves upon the very verge of remembrance, without being able, in the end, to remember.
and the sad notes floated out to the patio and hung in the trees like birds too tired to fly
Reggae has a philosophy, you know? It's not just entertainment. There's an idea behind it, a way of life behind the music, which is a positive way of life, which is a progressive way of life for better people.
You know, people speak in poetry all the time. They just don't realize it.
Everything we do is music." (Classical Composer)(From: 4'33")
Writing is almost a place of dreams for me, and I don't have to give up anything to do it.
I find with records, they become what they're going to become. They take on a power and a direction of their own. Part of making records is to honor that and not try to force it.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.