Dennis O'Driscoll: Poetry

Dennis O'Driscoll was Irish poet, critic. Explore interesting quotes on poetry.
Dennis O'Driscoll: 60 quotes2 likes

“Language is at the heart of poetry and it is difficult to commandeer words which elicit no personal echo. Of what we can speak, we need not be silent.”

Dennis O'Driscoll

Interview with Eugene O'Connell 'Cork Literary Review vol xiii 2009
Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Introduction -'Stepping Stones' interviews with Seamus Heaney Faber & Faber 2009
Poetry Quotes

“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.”

Dennis O'Driscoll

Other Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Interview wiyh Kieran Owens ' The Event Guide' December 2002
Other Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

“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.”

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

'Sing for the Taxman-Poetry Magazine-Poetry Foundation May 1 2009
Poetry Quotes

“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.”

Dennis O'Driscoll

Other Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Introduction - ' The Bloodaxe Book of Poetry Quotations' ed. Dennis O'Driscoll 2006
Other Quotes

“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.”

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Interview by email with Elizabeth MacDonald 2004, published 'Poetry Ireland Review'
Poetry Quotes

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

Dennis O'Driscoll

Poetry Quotes