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Quote by John Ashbery

“Some certified nut Will try to tell you it's poetry, (It's extraordinary, it makes a great deal of sense) But watch out or he'll start with some New notion or other.”

Quote by John Ashbery

Book:Selected poems

Work

This book compiles a selection of poems that showcase the depth and diversity of the author's poetic voice, exploring a range of subjects and employing different literary techniques. more

Author

John Ashbery is an influential American poet born on July 28, 1927. Known for his innovative poetry style and rich imagination, his work has had a profound impact on postmodern poetry. more

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“And we may be led, then, upward through more Powerful forms of poetry, past columns With peeling posters on them, to the country of indifference. Meanwhile if the swell diapasons, blooms Unhappily and too soon, the little people are nonetheless real.”

People Ifs May Littles Art Real Country Past Form Poetry Powerful Poet Indifference Columns Posters Peeling

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems

“And the way Though discontinuous, and intermittent, sometimes Not heard of for years at a time, did, Nonetheless, move up, although, to his surprise It was inside the house, And always getting narrower.”

Thinking Way Years Ideas Sometimes Moving House Heard Surprise Thoughtful Intermittent

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems

“Sometimes a musical phrase would perfectly sum up The mood of a moment. One of those lovelorn sonatas For wind instruments was riding past on a solemn white horse. Everybody wondered who the new arrival was.”

Sometimes Moments Past White Music Wind Musician Horse Instruments Musical Mood Phrases Riding Solemn Arrivals White Horse Sonatas New Arrivals Wind Instruments

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems

“So I cradle this average violin that knows Only forgotten showtunes, but argues The possibility of free declamation anchored To a dull refrain.”

Knows Music Possibility Musician Forgotten Average Arguing Dull Cradle Violin Refrain Declamation

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems

“It is because everything is relative That we shall never see in that sphere of pure wisdom and Entertainment much more than groping shadows of an incomplete Former existence so close it burns like the mouth that Closes down over all your effort like the moment Of death”

Moments Wisdom Death Effort Existence Pure Mouths Shadow Entertainment Former Relative Spheres Incomplete

Book:John Ashbery, Lee Harwood, Tom Raworth

Source: John Ashbery, Lee Harwood, Tom Raworth

“We are prisoners of the world's demented sink. The soft enchantments of our years of innocence Are harvested by accredited experience Our fondest memories soon turn to poison And only oblivion remains in season.”

World Life Years Turns Memories Experience Seasons Remains Aging Innocence Poison Prisoner Life Experience Oblivion Enchantment Demented

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems

“Silly girls your heads full of boys”

Girl Boys Silly Silly Girl

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems

“Extreme patience and persistence are required, Yet everybody succeeds at this before being handed The surprise box lunch of the rest of his life.”

Life Growing Up Succeed Patience Surprise Boxes Extremes Persistence Lunch Patience And Persistence

Book:Shadow train: poems

Source: Shadow train: poems

“I lost my ridiculous accent without acquiring another”

Lost Speech Ridiculous Accents

Book:A Wave: Poems

Source: A Wave: Poems

“Each servant stamps the reader with a look.”

Looks Reading Reader Servant Stamps

Book:Selected poems

Source: Selected poems