I am uncomfortable with talking of poetry as a priestly profession, because I have little use for organized religions and priestly hierarchies. They have demoralized, persecuted, so many, including women, gays, non-believers. Adrienne Rich More Quotes by Adrienne Rich More Quotes From Adrienne Rich An honorable human relationship- that is, one in which two people have the right to use the word "love"- is a process, delicate, violent, often terrifying to both persons involved, a process of refining the truths they can tell each other. Adrienne Rich self love two Courage is not defined by those who fought and did not fall, but by those who fought, fell and rose again. Adrienne Rich recovery rose fall The connections between and among women are the most feared, the most problematic, and the most potentially transforming force on the planet. Adrienne Rich feminist motivational inspirational When someone with the authority of a teacher, say, describes the world and you are not in it, there is a moment of psychic disequilibrium, as if you looked into a mirror and saw nothing. Yet you know you exist and others like you, that this is a game with mirrors. It takes some strength of soul--and not just individual strength, but collective understanding--to resist this void, this nonbeing, into which are thrust, and to stand up, demanding to be seen and heard. Adrienne Rich individual-strength mirrors teacher Change is not a threat to your life, but an invitation to live. Adrienne Rich invitations threat The most notable fact that our culture imprints on women is a sense of our limits. The most important thing a woman can do for another is to illuminate her actual possibilities. Adrienne Rich limits important culture There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep and still be counted as warriors. Adrienne Rich warrior down-and inspirational I believe that words can help us move or keep us paralyzed, and that our choices of language and verbal tone have something - a great deal - to do with how we live our lives. Adrienne Rich inspirational believe moving Poetry can open locked chambers of possibiity, restore numbed zones to feeling, recharge desire. Adrienne Rich chamber desire feelings Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work. Adrienne Rich strong-women hard-work mean We need to imagine a world in which every woman is the presiding genius of her own body. In such a world women will truly create new life, bringing forth not only children if and as we choose but the visions, and the thinking, necessary to sustain, console and alter human existence-a new relationship to the universe. Sexuality, politics, intelligence, power, motherhood, work, community, intimacy will develop new meanings; thinking itself will be transformed. This is where we have to begin. Adrienne Rich motherhood new-relationship children The beauty of darkness Adrienne Rich darkness When one woman tells her truth, it makes a space for other women to tell their truths. Adrienne Rich one-woman space healing Language is power... Language can be used as a means of changing reality. Adrienne Rich writing mean reality A thinking woman sleeps with monsters. Adrienne Rich monsters sleep thinking We must use what we have to invent what we desire. Adrienne Rich use-it-or-lose-it dream success If you are trying to transform a brutalized society into one where people can live in dignity and hope, you begin with the empowering of the most powerless. You build from the ground up. Adrienne Rich ubuntu peace people My heart is moved by all I cannot save: so much has been destroyed I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world. Adrienne Rich age heart world Art means nothing if it simply decorates the dinner table of power which holds it hostage. Adrienne Rich dinner-table mean art The more I live, the more I think, two people together is a miracle. Adrienne Rich two people thinking
