"A poem begins as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness"
- Robert Frost
About this Quote
Robert Frost, among the most distinguished voices in American literature, masterfully captures the essence of poetic motivation with his quote: "A poem starts as a lump in the throat, a sense of wrong, a homesickness, a lovesickness". This reflective observation highlights the deeply psychological and instinctive nature of poetry.
To begin, the "lump in the throat" metaphor recommends an offensive psychological strength or a visceral response to an experience. It is the physical manifestation of a psychological disruption that demands expression. This preliminary experience is key to the imaginative procedure for poets. It signifies a stirring within that forces one to explore and articulate the source of the sensation, changing it into verse. This is often the genesis of effective poetry, where feelings are so frustrating that they can no longer be included.
The "sense of incorrect" presents the concept of moral or existential pain. Frost implies that poetry often derives from a recognition of discord or imbalance, whether in one's individual life or the broader world. This discontentment becomes a catalyst for reflection, prompting the poet to explore and interact their inner disputes and perceptions through their work.
Similarly, "homesickness" and "lovesickness" evoke deep feelings of longing and yearning. Homesickness reflects fond memories for the past or a lost sense of belonging, while lovesickness embodies the intricacies of romantic longing or unsatisfied desire. These feelings are universal and classic, resonating deeply with readers and infusing the poem with a sense of shared human experience.
In essence, Frost's quote encapsulates the idea that poetry originates from profound internal experiences. These emotional undercurrents, whether they be of love, loss, yearning, or discontentment, spark the innovative procedure. They propel the poet to look into the depths of their feelings and translate them into a literary form, allowing others to partake in the shared journey of understanding and catharsis. Through poetry, these deep-seated emotions are given voice and shape, transforming individual experiences into universal expressions of humanity.
This quote is written / told by Robert Frost between March 26, 1874 and January 29, 1963. He was a famous Poet from USA, the quote is categorized under the topic Poetry. The author also have 80 other quotes.
"With the question of the effect of a poem, the topic of investigation shifts from that of textual autonomy to textual reception - to the issue of what we actually look for or find in reading a poem"
"A revolutionary poem will not tell you who or when to kill, what and when to burn, or even how to theorize. It reminds you... where and when and how you are living and might live, it is a wick of desire"
