NORM ON THE NATURE OF THE POET

I suppose every person interested in poetry has their own concept as to what poetry is. For me, it is a means of communication. The most easily understood poetry (and to that extent, the best) must be in contemporary language. Rarely used and archaic words, though they may attest to the writer’s erudition, seldom contribute to the clarity of the message. A successful poem is one which communicates most gracefully and skillfully with the greatest impact. Good poetry does not arise from trite or trivial concepts. An inconsequential message is just that. A memorable poem must be one that treats the subject more deeply or deftly than has been done before. The more convinced a poet is that she has the truth in her grasp; the more likely she is sucking her own thumb for sustenance. If truth is so easy to perceive as some bland verse would have, we should all have long since been redeemed. For a poet, the paradox affirms the essential mystery. Poets of the clearest vision do not trot happily along the paths of dogma. They are doubters. They constantly strive to reach the misty heights, which are seldom attained, yet shimmer in the distance.

Norman Jakob Craven    Dec.6, 1974