The poem, even a short time after being written, br seems no miracle; unwritten, it seems br something beyond the capacity of the gods. br br * br br Art is the means we have of undoing the damage of br haste. It's what everything else isn't. br br * br br You can't make poetry simply by avoiding clichés. br br * br br There's a point where plainness is no longer a virtue, br when it becomes excessively bald, wrenched. br br * br br You must believe: a poem is a holy thing -- a good poem, br that is.