"I never think about poetry except when I'm writing it. I mean my poetry"
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Norman MacCaig’s statement, “I never think about poetry except when I’m writing it. I mean my poetry,” offers a subtle insight into his relationship with his creative work. MacCaig distinguishes between idle reflection and the act of creation, suggesting a deliberate divide. He implies that poetry is not an abstract occupation constantly present in his thoughts, but instead a focused engagement that only occupies his mind during the act of composition. The parenthetical specification, “I mean my poetry,” emphasizes a personal boundary, differentiating the impersonal or academic consideration of poetry from the intimate process of crafting his own verses.
MacCaig’s approach signals a certain humility and practicality. He might see poetry as an activity rather than a mystical calling, something that needs attention when it is being brought into the world, but not something to be endlessly theorized or obsessed over outside those moments. There is also an undercurrent of artistic integrity: his poetry is not manufactured by adhering to external expectations or trends but is drawn from his own immediate, lived experience and insight. MacCaig places value on immersion in the present, participating fully only while writing, eschewing distraction or self-consciousness at other times.
Additionally, his attitude reflects an effort to let poetic impulse arise naturally, unsullied by perpetual self-analysis or concern for the poetic canon. He may acknowledge the existence of poetry in the broader sense but chooses to focus his energy only when it becomes a personal, creative act. In a literary landscape where poets are often expected to theorize about their craft, MacCaig’s position demonstrates independence and a kind of quiet discipline. Ultimately, his words challenge the romantic notion that poets must be ever haunted or consumed by their art. Instead, poetry becomes, for him, an act of presence, confined to the tangible task of writing, anchored in authenticity and directness.
MacCaig’s approach signals a certain humility and practicality. He might see poetry as an activity rather than a mystical calling, something that needs attention when it is being brought into the world, but not something to be endlessly theorized or obsessed over outside those moments. There is also an undercurrent of artistic integrity: his poetry is not manufactured by adhering to external expectations or trends but is drawn from his own immediate, lived experience and insight. MacCaig places value on immersion in the present, participating fully only while writing, eschewing distraction or self-consciousness at other times.
Additionally, his attitude reflects an effort to let poetic impulse arise naturally, unsullied by perpetual self-analysis or concern for the poetic canon. He may acknowledge the existence of poetry in the broader sense but chooses to focus his energy only when it becomes a personal, creative act. In a literary landscape where poets are often expected to theorize about their craft, MacCaig’s position demonstrates independence and a kind of quiet discipline. Ultimately, his words challenge the romantic notion that poets must be ever haunted or consumed by their art. Instead, poetry becomes, for him, an act of presence, confined to the tangible task of writing, anchored in authenticity and directness.
Quote Details
| Topic | Poetry |
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