"A poet never takes notes. You never take notes in a love affair"

This quote by Robert Frost is a comparison between the innovative process of composing poetry and the enthusiastic process of being in a love affair. Frost is suggesting that both procedures require a particular level of spontaneity and imagination, and that bearing in mind would be antithetical to the innovative procedure. He is suggesting that the innovative procedure of composing poetry and the enthusiastic process of remaining in a love affair ought to be experienced in the minute, without the requirement to file or tape-record the experience. Frost is suggesting that the imaginative process of writing poetry and the passionate procedure of remaining in a love affair must be experienced with an open heart and an open mind, without the requirement to bear in mind or tape-record the experience. He is indicating that the innovative procedure of composing poetry and the enthusiastic procedure of remaining in a love affair must be experienced with a sense of liberty and spontaneity, without the requirement to file or tape the experience. By making this contrast, Frost is recommending that both procedures should be experienced with a sense of joy and liberty, without the requirement to take notes or record the experience.