James Fenton1 Quotes

The lullaby is the spell whereby the mother attempts to transform herself back from an ogre to a saint.

The writing of a poem is like a child throwing stones into a mineshaft. You compose first, then you listen for the reverberation.

Imitation, if it is not forgery, is a fine thing. It stems from a generous impulse, and a realistic sense of what can and cannot be done.

One does not become a guru by accident.