On July 26, 1916, I announced to all my friends in America that from now on I resolved to write no more poems in the classical language, and to begin my experiments in writing poetry in the so-called vulgar tongue of the people.

There may be more poetry than justice in poetic justice.

Translation is an interestingly different way to be involved both with poetry and with the language that I've found myself living in much of the time. I think the two feed each other.

Poetry isn't a profession, it's a way of life. It's an empty basket you put your life into it and make something out of that.

Most poetry in the modern age has retreated to the private sphere, turning its back on the political realm.