You have to follow where the poem leads. And it will surprise you. It will say things you didn't expect to say. And you look at the poem and you realize, 'That is truly what I felt.' That is truly what I saw.
Philip Levine
You have to follow where the ...
Quotes from the same author
I was very lucky to have a mother who encouraged me to become a poet.
Philip Levine
My mother carried on and supported us; her ambition had been to write poetry and songs.
Philip Levine
Corruption is subtle, just like the Bible said. Many young poets have come to me and asked, How am I gonna make it? They feel, and often with considerable justice, that they are being overlooked while others with less talent are out there making careers for themselves. I always give the same advice. I say, Do it the hard way, and you’ll always feel good about yourself. You write because you have to, and you get this unbelievable satisfaction from doing it well. Try to live on that as long as you’re able.
Philip Levine
No one can write like Vallejo and not sound like a fraud. He's just too much himself and not you.
Philip Levine
