Dennis O'Driscoll: Poetry

“Writers are not neccessarily articulate simply because poetry is their stock-in-trade.”

“Poetry is a highly visible art in Ireland; in our rapidly secularised society, it has become a kind of erzatz religion, applying the elevated ceremonial language without the divisive doctrine.”

“Poetry is nothing less than an aspiration to absolute truth.”

“I am very driven when it comes to poetry, a complete obsessive of the truth be told.”

“I would say that poetry for most people is like the Christmas tree that is kept in the attic and is taken down in its appropriate season.”

“I am completely passive about my poetry, unless I sense the rhythms, see the images and hear the words spontaneously, I am helpless.”

“Poetry is most convincing when its elements have been lived.”

“What we call inspiration in poetry is usually a visitation of words and rhythms rather than ideas.”

“If poets spoke their poetry, they would not need to write it.”

“The rhythm of poetry and the routine of work are interdependent for some poets”

“However much poetry may be respected in Ireland, this respect more often translates, in practice, into tolerance and acceptance, rather than support. Poetry is a 'nice' thing to live with, as long as it does not come too close.”

“A defining mark of poetry is that it defies definition.”

“I put all my poetry in long hand, try to let the idea marinate as long as possible, clinging to the commonplace notion of a creative connection between the movement of the hand and the flow of imagination.”

“Genuine poetry reminds us how little we truly know, it is a vehicle for discovery, not a conduit for omniscience.”

“The priority for the poet must be his poetry, the poetry must determine his agenda and deadlines”