If poetry alters the way in which the reader views the world, then it has had its desired effect. – John Barton
Writing can sometimes be exploitative. I like to take a few steps of remove in order to respect the privacy of the subject. If readers make the link, they have engaged with the poem. – John Barton
No poem is easily grasped so why should any reader expect fast results? – John Barton
An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive. – John Barton
Well I do think, when there are more women, that the tone of the conversation changes, and also the goals of the conversation change. But it doesnt mean that the whole world would be a lot better if it were totally run by women. If you think that, youve forgotten high school. – Madeleine Albright