If we ask a vague question, such as, 'What is poetry?' we expect a vague answer, such as, 'Poetry is the music of words,' or 'Poetry is the linguistic correction of disorder.'

A. R. Ammons

Answer Ask Correction Disorder Expect Linguistic Music Poetry Question Vague Words

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For though we often need to be restored to the small, concrete, limited, and certain, we as often need to be reminded of the large, vague, unlimited, unknown.

— A. R. Ammons

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The poet exposes himself to the risk. All that has been said about poetry, all that he has learned about poetry, is only a partial assurance.

— A. R. Ammons

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Poetry leads us to the unstructured sources of our beings, to the unknown, and returns us to our rational, structured selves refreshed.

— A. R. Ammons

Probably all the attention to poetry results in some value, though the attention is more often directed to lesser than to greater values.

— A. R. Ammons

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