I think there’s one thing which distinguishes our art – we don’t consider. We don’t think. We write a little verse because it comes to us. — Howard Nemerov
I’ve never read a political poem that’s accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely what the poet wants. — Howard Nemerov
It may be said that poems are in one way like icebergs: only about a third of their bulk appears above the surface of the page. — Howard Nemerov
Supposed to talk about blanguage is remarkable, except under the extreme constraints of mathematics and logic — Howard Nemerov
Mostly the thought and the verse come inseparably. In my poem poetics, it’s as close as I come to telling how I do it. — Howard Nemerov
Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow’s speed. — Howard Nemerov
Obvious enough that generalities work to protect the mind from the great outdoors; is it possible that this was in fact their first purpose? — Howard Nemerov
Robert frost had always said you mustn’t think of the last line first, or it’s only a fake poem, not a real one. I’m inclined to agree. — Howard Nemerov
Shakespeare tells the same stories over and over in so many guises that it takes a long time before you notice. — Howard Nemerov
The historian is terribly responsible to what he can discern are the facts of the case, but he’s nothing if he doesn’t make out a case. — Howard Nemerov
We’re not in love with literature all the time – especially when you have to teach it every day. — Howard Nemerov
When I was starting to write, the great influence was t.s. Eliot and after that william butler yeats. — Howard Nemerov
When modern writers gave up telling stories, they gave up the greatest thing we had. — Howard Nemerov
When robert frost was alive, I was known as the other new england poet, which is to be barely known at all. — Howard Nemerov
When you write it doesn’t occur to you that somebody could think different from what you do. — Howard Nemerov
Religion and science both profess peace (and the sincerity of the professors is not being doubted) — Howard Nemerov