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The art of the poem nowadays is something unstable; but at least the construction of the poem should make sense; you should know where you stand. Many questions haven't been answered as yet. Our poets may be wrong; but what can any of us do with his talent but try to develop his vision, so that through frequent failures we may learn better what we have missed in the past.

William Carlos Williams#3

CraftFailureStructureWriting

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker insists poems should be constructed clearly, even if ideas remain uncertain, and emphasizes learning through failure.
In plain terms
Make your poem structured and clear, and keep trying despite mistakes.
What can you take from it?
Build clear structures and learn from your failed attempts.

Where it applies

  • writing drafts
  • editing work
  • developing talent

Putting it to work

  • focus on structure
  • accept failure
  • develop vision

Questions to consider

  • What structure helps your work?
  • How do you learn from mistakes?

Another view

Some great art relies on ambiguity rather than clear structure.

More from William Carlos Williams

  1. What is the use of reading the common news of the day, the tragic deaths and abuses of daily living, when for over half a lifetime we have known that they must…

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  2. There's a lot of bastards out there!

    Permalink to quote #4
  3. God damn it, you might think a man had no business to be writing, to be a poet unless some philosophic stinker gave him permission.

    Permalink to quote #1

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