What a wonderful passage. Years ago I was fortunate to be able to visit Stanley Kunitz at his apartment in Manhattan. He was 98 or 99. I brought him a jar of Vermont honey. We sat and talked poems, with his literary assistant Genine Lentine sitting nearby. He was kind and gracious. And he left me with the words, "Keep on!" I have a recording of our conversation somewhere!
I wonder how perfection in art feels. Even the greatest artists of all time, have they felt that after putting down the pen or the brush? Kunitz hints that perhaps this never happens. The pursuit is key. Imagine Michelangelo lying on his back for years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Or having completed David. He gets up and says, I should fix that tomorrow.
“I keep trying to improve my control over language, so that I won’t have to tell lies. And I keep reading the masters, because they infect me with human possibility.”
I love this. Perhaps this is why I always come back to poetry. I seek truth. In myself. In others. In nature - it is there already. I just have to look, really look and listen as be.
Yes, my core, my energy “falls away from self, blends into the natural universe. Man has only a bit part to play in the whole marvelous show of creation.” Humans are small specks in the grand cosmos.
“what is there left for you to confront but the great simplicities? I never tire of bird-song and sky and weather. I want to write poems that are natural, luminous, deep, spare. I dream of an art so transparent that you can look through and see the world.”…. What else is there to say? Wow! Yes. Yes. Yes. 🙏❤️
"living and dying at once" such powerful words. Great read ❤️
"I dream of an art so transparent that you can look through and see the world."
Beautiful.
What a wonderful passage. Years ago I was fortunate to be able to visit Stanley Kunitz at his apartment in Manhattan. He was 98 or 99. I brought him a jar of Vermont honey. We sat and talked poems, with his literary assistant Genine Lentine sitting nearby. He was kind and gracious. And he left me with the words, "Keep on!" I have a recording of our conversation somewhere!
A profound and powerful essay. I will be rereading it for quite some time.
I wonder how perfection in art feels. Even the greatest artists of all time, have they felt that after putting down the pen or the brush? Kunitz hints that perhaps this never happens. The pursuit is key. Imagine Michelangelo lying on his back for years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Or having completed David. He gets up and says, I should fix that tomorrow.
“I keep trying to improve my control over language, so that I won’t have to tell lies. And I keep reading the masters, because they infect me with human possibility.”
I love this. Perhaps this is why I always come back to poetry. I seek truth. In myself. In others. In nature - it is there already. I just have to look, really look and listen as be.
“Conservation of energy is the function of form”. 🔥🔥🔥
Fabulous words on creating, living, and poetry.
Similar thoughts. My life changed when I took up zen
Yes, my core, my energy “falls away from self, blends into the natural universe. Man has only a bit part to play in the whole marvelous show of creation.” Humans are small specks in the grand cosmos.
Sometime to remember that is such a relief. Just enjoy the ride, learn, give, love.
Lot of tenderness in those eyes; words too.
I think I would like Mr. Kunitz very much if we're ever fated to meet.
💖🙏
Have you ever read such truth? Such a dear man, such a talented poet.
Wise. Profound.
“what is there left for you to confront but the great simplicities? I never tire of bird-song and sky and weather. I want to write poems that are natural, luminous, deep, spare. I dream of an art so transparent that you can look through and see the world.”…. What else is there to say? Wow! Yes. Yes. Yes. 🙏❤️