Poetry Quote by Adrienne Rich — Inspiring Words on Life, Love & Wisdom

“I choose to love this time for once”

“the phantom of the man-who-would-understand,”

“Love, our subject:”

“Truthfulness, honor, is not something which springs ablaze of itself; it has to be created between people. This is true in political situations. The quality and depth of the politics evolving from a group depends in large part on their understanding of honor. Much of what is narrowly termed "politics" seems to rest on a longing for certainty even at the cost of honesty, for an analysis which, once given, need not be re-examined…It isn't that to have an honorable relationship with you, I have to understand everything, or tell you everything at once, or that I can know, beforehand, everything I need to tell you. It means that most of the time I am eager, longing for the possibility of telling you. That these possibilities may seem frightening, but not destructive to me. That I feel strong enough to hear your tentative and groping words. That we both know we are trying, all the time, to extend the possibilities of truth between us.”

“It is always what is under pressure in us, especially under pressure of concealment--that explodes in poetry.”

“Silly girl, your different was your beautiful all along.”

“If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.”

“I had forgotten. Disgust shadows desire.”

“I denied it,”

“A billion stars go spinning through the night,”

“From a little spark may burst a flame.”