The Collected Poems, Vol. 2 Quotes

“A poem is this:/A nuance of sound/delicately operating/upon a cataract of sense/...the particulars/of a song waking/upon a bed of sound.”
― William Carlos Williams, The Collected Poems, Vol. 2: 1939-1962

“THE THOUGHTFUL LOVER

Deny yourself all
half things. Have it
or leave it.

But it will keep—or
it is not worth
the having.

Never start
anything you can't
finish—

However do not lose
faith because you
are starved!

She loves you
she says. Believe it
—tomorrow.

But today
the particulars
of poetry

that difficult art
require
your whole attention.”
― William Carlos Williams, The Collected Poems, Vol. 2: 1939-1962

“The Hurricane

The tree lay down
on the garage roof
and stretched, You
have your heaven,
it said, go to it.”
― William Carlos Williams, The Collected Poems, Vol. 2: 1939-1962