Michael Longley Quotes

“What good poetry and good prose have in common is vitality of rhythm.”

Michael Longley

“Poetry's only crucial attribute is rhythm. This is its heartbeat. This makes it memorable. If the rhythm falters, then the poem dies of heart failure.”

Michael Longley

“If I knew where poems come from. I'd go there.”

Michael Longley

'The Observer ' article March 24 1991

“By definition, if prose is a river, poetry is a fountain.”

Michael Longley

'Poetry Ireland Review' Summer 1999