I think Im a very good reader of poetry, but obviously, like everybody, I have a set of criteria for reading poems, and Im not shy about presenting them, so if people ask for my critical response to a poem, I tell them what works and why, and what doesnt work and why. – Diane Wakoski
I think thats what poetry does. It allows people to come together and identify with a common thing that is outside of themselves, but which they identify with from the interior. – Diane Wakoski
I think that great poetry is the most interesting and complex use of the poets language at that point in history, and so its even more exciting when you read a poet like Yeats, almost 100 years old now, and you think that perhaps no one can really top that. – Diane Wakoski
I definitely wish to distinguish American poetry from British or other English language poetry. – Diane Wakoski
When I hit a block, regardless of what I am writing, what the subject matter is, or whats going on in the plot, I go back and I read Pablo Nerudas poetry. I dont actually speak Spanish, so I read it translation. But I always go back to Neruda. I dont know why, but it calms me, calms my brain. – Tea Obreht