“The rhythmic pattern of the poem, which forces continuity of attention – incites a pleasurable compulsion to ‘follow’ – is either a tried metrical suasion-contrivance or a specially invented pattern of physical insistences, equally, if not more, binding in its effect on the reader. From a straight linguistic point of view, there is room for wonder if there is not latent vice in this environment in which pleasurable physically-compelled responses, produced by incidents of poetic utterance, are identified with the Good.”

—  Laura Riding Jackson

"The Promise of Words" in London Review of Books, Vol. 17, No. 17, p. 23

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Laura Riding Jackson42
poet, critic, novelist, essayist and short story writer 1901–1991

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