The Collected Poems Quotes

“AESTHETICS OF INTEGRITY

For every star in the sky
Someone is holding his ground.”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“AESTHETICS OF THE AESTHETICIAN

What is the aesthetician
But a mule hitched to the times?”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“Poetry, which is written while no one is looking, is meant to be looked at for all time.”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“AESTHETICS OF OPERA

Don’t sing an aria
To someone who can’t
Sing one back.”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“A basso sings, and a soprano answers him.
Then there is thunder in a clear blue sky,
And, from the earth, a sigh: “This song is finished.”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“The very existence of poetry should make us laugh. What is that all about? What is it for?”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems of Kenneth Koch

“Isn't this history, and aren't we a couple of ruins?
Is Carthage Pompeii? is the pillow the bed? is the sun
What glues our heads together? O midnight! O midnight!”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“AESTHETICS OF COMEDY ASLEEP

Don’t wake the clown
Or he may knock you down.”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems

“AESTHETICS OF AVANT-GARDE THEATRE

Make the stage an actor
Make an actor the stage.”
― Kenneth Koch, The Collected Poems