I consider a poem to be a kind of experiment where a number of elements are brought together under test conditions to see how they will interact to create meaning or relevance. John Barton More Quotes by John Barton More Quotes From John Barton I have become intrigued with the combining of seemingly unrelated ideas or images, or the drawing upon the many, sometimes dissimilar, meanings a word might have. John Barton become drawing sometimes ideas The point of an experiment is not to arrive at a predetermined end point, to prove or disprove anything, but to deliver a poem that reveals much about the process taken. John Barton end anything prove process The reader's challenge is to replicate the experiment by reading the poem and to draw their own conclusions. John Barton experiment challenge own reading An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive. John Barton poem very poetry exciting Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard inappropriate responses. John Barton some how good blind No poem is easily grasped; so why should any reader expect fast results? John Barton fast expect results poetry Reading should be a repeat performance. John Barton repeat performance reading should You can never step into the same book twice, because you are different each time you read it. John Barton step you time book Poets can't resist the dramatic pull of their lives and so inevitably write autobiographical verse. John Barton verse resist write dramatic Most victims of my autobiographical verse are either far too polite, remarkably understanding unaware that I have written poems about them. John Barton far either about understanding Poetry is but another form of inquiry into the nature of phenomena, using with its own unique procedures and tools. John Barton own poetry nature unique In the past, poetry came in the form of spells and chants used to effect change. John Barton in-the-past poetry change past If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect. John Barton effect poetry way world The experiment of the poem is mostly intuitive. I write the first draft, pulling in the various elements that interest me, in the hope that their being combined will lead to some kind of insight. John Barton will being me hope I sometimes like to tinker with poems that have failed, ones that I have sent aside. Even years afterward, I will revisit them if there is something about them that I cannot give up on. John Barton something will like sometimes I became intrigued with colour theory. The absurd pronouncements of the Colour Institute, a group that decides what colours are hot each year or season, amused me. John Barton year group me hot The poet must decide not to impose his feelings in order to write without sentimentality. John Barton decide without poet feelings A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor is to mediate. John Barton editor connect role journal I find it exhausting to administer a magazine without an office or paid staff. John Barton magazine without find office I feel very connected to poets across the country. John Barton i-feel feel connected country
