Paul EngleThinkers

Oxford is a dark water-wandered town, where oxen forded the mild, midland river before proud stone was piled on stone to mark the frantic limits of the mind.

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the nth power.

Poetry is ordinary language raised to the nth power. Poetry is boned with ideas, nerved and blooded with emotions, all held together by the delicate, tough skin of words.

Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise.

Writing is like this - you dredge for the poem's meaning the way police dredge for a body. They think it is down there under the black water, they work the grappling hooks back and forth.