Quotes by Richard Wilbur
What is the opposite of two? A lonely me, a lonely you.
To this congress the poet speaks not of peculiar and personal things, but of what in himself is most common, most anonymous, most fundamental, most true of all men.
It is true that the poet does not directly address his neighbors; but he does address a great congress of persons who dwell at the back of his mind, a congress of all those who have taught him and whom he has admired; they constitute his ideal audience and his better self.
The rare original heartsblood goes, Spends on the earthen hide, in the folds and wizenings, flows...
All true enough: and true as well that she Was beautiful, and danced, and is now dead.
Even when seen from near, the olive shows A hue of far away. Perhaps for this...
My dog lay dead five days without a grave
I started in to cry and call his name, ...
the beautiful changes In such kind ways,...
The good grey guardians of art Patrol the halls on spongy shoes, Impartially protective, though Perhaps suspicious of Toulouse.
Beasts in their major freedom Slumber in peace tonight.
