Sometimes poetry is inspired by the conversation entered into by reading other poems. John Barton More Quotes by John Barton More Quotes From John Barton 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 meaningwillseetogether 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 becomedrawingsometimesideas 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 endanythingproveprocess The reader's challenge is to replicate the experiment by reading the poem and to draw their own conclusions. John Barton experimentchallengeownreading An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive. John Barton poemverypoetryexciting Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard inappropriate responses. John Barton somehowgoodblind No poem is easily grasped; so why should any reader expect fast results? John Barton fastexpectresultspoetry Reading should be a repeat performance. John Barton repeatperformancereadingshould You can never step into the same book twice, because you are different each time you read it. John Barton stepyoutimebook Poets can't resist the dramatic pull of their lives and so inevitably write autobiographical verse. John Barton verseresistwritedramatic Most victims of my autobiographical verse are either far too polite, remarkably understanding unaware that I have written poems about them. John Barton fareitheraboutunderstanding Poetry is but another form of inquiry into the nature of phenomena, using with its own unique procedures and tools. John Barton ownpoetrynatureunique In the past, poetry came in the form of spells and chants used to effect change. John Barton in-the-pastpoetrychangepast If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect. John Barton effectpoetrywayworld 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 willbeingmehope 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 somethingwilllikesometimes 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 yeargroupmehot The poet must decide not to impose his feelings in order to write without sentimentality. John Barton decidewithoutpoetfeelings A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor is to mediate. John Barton editorconnectrolejournal I find it exhausting to administer a magazine without an office or paid staff. John Barton magazinewithoutfindoffice
