Definition of poetry quotes:

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My old teacher's definition of poetry is an attempt to understand. -- Thom Gunn
My definition of poetry (if I were forced to give one) would be this: words that have become deeds. -- Robert Frost
A definition of poetry can only determine what poetry should be and not what poetry actually was and is; otherwise the most concise formula would be: Poetry is that which at some time and some place was thus named. -- Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel
If you want a definition of poetry, say: Poetry is what makes me laugh or cry or yawn, what makes my toenails twinkle, what makes me want to do this or that or nothing and let it go at that. -- Dylan Thomas
It's bad poetry executed by people that can't sing. That's my definition of Rap. -- Peter Steele
I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine-tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry. -- Randall Jarrell
I developed a definition - which I think becomes less and less accurate as poetry moves into the world - that poetry was a way of speaking to the world, but fiction was a way to get the world to speak to me. -- Grace Paley
Poetry, almost by definition, calls attention to its language and form. -- Robert Morgan
[My poetry is] a way of coming to grips with reality . . . a way of discovery and definition. It is a way of solving for the unknowns. -- Robert Hayden
I think that one possible definition of our modern culture is that it is one in which nine- tenths of our intellectuals can't read any poetry -- Randall Jarrell
By definition, poetry works with qualities and dynamics that mainstream society is reluctant to face head-on. It's an interesting phenomenon that by necessity, poetry is just below the radar. -- David Whyte

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