Quotation by

Karl Shapiro

Poetry is innocent, not wise. It does not learn from experience, because each poetic experience is unique.

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Understanding this quote AI Analysis

Karl Shapiro means that poetry doesn’t gain practical knowledge or lessons over time because every time someone writes or reads a poem, it’s a completely new and different moment. Instead of being clever or experienced, poetry stays fresh and pure by treating each encounter as something special and unlike any before.

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He fertilizes a phrase or a line of poetry for weeks and then gives birth to it in a speech.

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Poetry asks people to have values, form opinions, care about some other part of experience besides making money and being successful on the job.
I don't know a better preparation for life than a love of poetry and a good digestion.