I would not say I chose to write long poems on a conscious level. The long poem has been a relative constant. — John Barton
A literary journal is intended to connect writer with reader; the role of the editor is to mediate. — John Barton
An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive. — John Barton
I became intrigued with colour theory. The absurd pronouncements of the colour institute — John Barton
My obsession with time informs my poetry so completely it is hard for me to summarize it. — John Barton
If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect. — John Barton
Poetry is but another form of inquiry into the nature of phenomena, using with its own unique procedures and tools. — John Barton
Poets can’t resist the dramatic pull of their lives and so inevitably write autobiographical verse. — John Barton
Some readers allow their prejudices to blind them. A good reader knows how to disregard inappropriate responses. — John Barton
The poet must decide not to impose his feelings in order to write without sentimentality. — John Barton
The reader’s challenge is to replicate the experiment by reading the poem and to draw their own conclusions. — John Barton
To me many short poems read and write like beginnings that simply whet my appetite; I want to get over that. — John Barton
We are comfortable with the fact that we cannot know personally what happened in the world before we were born — John Barton
You can never step into the same book twice, because you are different each time you read it. — John Barton