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On Poetry and Craft: Selected Prose

theodore roethke carolyn kizer

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"One of the virtues of good poetry is the fact that it irritates the mediocre." Theodore Roethke was one of the most famous and outspoken poets and poetry teachers this country has ever known. In this volume of selected prose, Roethke articulates his commitments to imaginative possibilities, offers tender advice to young writers, and zings darts at stuffed shirts, lightweights and fools. "Art is our defense against hysteria and death." With the assistance of Roethke's widow, this volume has been edited to include the finest selections from out of print collections of prose and journal entries. Focused on the making and teaching of poetry, On Poetry and Craft will be prized in the classroom-and outrageous Roethke quotes will once again pepper our conversations. "You must believe a poem is a holy thing, a good poem, that is." Theodore Roethke was of an illustrious generation of poets which included Sexton, Plath, Lowell, Berryman, and like them he received nearly every major award in poetry, including the Pulitzer Prize and twice the National Book Award. In spite of his fame, he remained a legendary teacher, known for the care and attention he gave to his students, poets such as James Wright, Carolyn Kizer, Tess Gallagher, and Richard Hugo. Roethke died on August 1, 1963, while swimming in a friend's pool. "But before I'm reduced to an absolute pulp by my own ambivalence, I must say goodbye. The old lion perisheth. Nymphs, I wish you the swoops of many fish. May your search for the abiding be forever furious." On Poetry and Craft I am overwhelmed by the beautiful disorder of poetry, the eternal virginity of words. The poem, even a short time after being written, seems no miracle; unwritten, it seems something beyond the capacity of the gods. We can't escape what we are, and I'm afraid many of my notions about verse (I haven't too many) have been conditioned by the fact that for nearly 25 years I've been trying to teach the young something about the nature of verse by writing it--and that with very little formal knowledge of the subject or previous instruction. So it's going to be lik

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1,1965

This edition

Format
224 pages, Paperback
Published
April 1, 2001 by Copper Canyon Press
ISBN
9781556591563
ASIN
155659156X
Language
English

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About the author

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theodore roethke

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American poet Theodore Roethke published short lyrical works in The Waking (1953) and other collections.

Rhythm and natural imagery characterized volumes of Theodore Huebner Roethke. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 for his book, The Waking. Roethke wrote of his poetry: The greenhouse "is my symbol for the whole of life, a womb, a heaven-on-earth." From childhood experiences of working in floral company of his family in Saginaw, Roethke drew inspiration. Beginning is 1941 with Open House, the distinguished poet and teacher published extensively; he received two National Book Awards among an array of honors. In 1959, Yale University awarded him the prestigious Bollingen Prize. Roethke taught at Michigan State College, (present-day Michigan State University) and at colleges in Pennsylvania and Vermont before joining the faculty of the University of Washington at Seattle in 1947.

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Rating(4.5 / 5.0, 13 votes)
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13 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Koutsuna_sama
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is really cool.

It is a loose collection of Roethke's thoughts on poetry writing, and it is truly insightful in a kind of meditative way.

Roethke has the ability to be both straightforward and rather abstract.

Sometimes he presents his ideas in a clear and direct manner, while at other times he delves into the realm of abstraction, making the reader think deeply.

However, one thing remains constant - his profoundness.

His words have the power to touch the core of our being and make us see poetry in a whole new light.

As someone who writes poetry myself, I have found this collection to be of great help.

It has provided me with new perspectives and ideas, and has inspired me to explore different aspects of my own writing.

I highly recommend this collection to anyone who has an interest in poetry or is looking for some inspiration.

It is truly a gem that is worth exploring.
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monicacampanella
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Pretty academic take on poetry;

however, there are some choice lessons within Roethke's lectures. His approach to analyzing poetry is not only intellectually stimulating but also offers practical insights for those interested in the art form. Roethke delves deep into the structure, rhythm, and imagery of poems, uncovering hidden meanings and emotions.

By closely examining the works of different poets, he shows how they use language to create powerful and evocative pieces.

Moreover, Roethke's lectures provide a platform for discussing the role of poetry in society and its ability to connect people on a deeper level.

Overall, while his take on poetry may be academic, the lessons within his lectures are valuable and can enhance one's appreciation and understanding of this beautiful art form.
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magicb
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Look,

I have a great affection for all of his notes on teaching and craft, as well as the lectures. They are truly inspiring and extremely useful. They offer valuable insights and practical tips that can enhance one's teaching skills and understanding of the craft.

However, the creepy pseudonym writing at the end really left a bad taste in my mouth. It was rather off-putting and made me feel a bit queasy. It seemed out of place and detracted from the overall positive experience that the notes and lectures had provided.

Despite this one negative aspect, I still appreciate the majority of the content and will continue to refer to it for its educational value. But I hope that in the future, the author will refrain from using such creepy pseudonyms and focus on presenting the valuable information in a more straightforward and appealing way.
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FranBunnyFFXII
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The instructions provided are truly very good.

They are not only comprehensive but also presented in a clear and understandable manner.

It is evident that a great deal of effort has been put into creating these instructions to ensure that users can easily follow and understand them.

The quality of the instructions makes the product or service they are associated with well worth the purchase.

Moreover, they are also worth the read as they can provide valuable insights and information that can enhance the user's experience.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced user, these instructions are sure to be of great help.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a product or service that comes with excellent instructions, then this is definitely one to consider.

It is well worth the investment and you will not be disappointed.
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TheFrenchReader
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Roethke's profound regional influence truly piqued my interest in him and his work. He was originally from the Midwest and spent a significant number of years teaching at the University of Washington.

During his tenure there, he had the opportunity to teach many students who would later go on to become noted poets. Some of the notable names include Carolyn Kizer, Tess Gallaher, and David Wagoner.

On Poetry & Craft was like a doorway that flung me into a fluid and poignant compilation of essays, reviews, and journal excerpts. This was a significant departure for me from the world of classic fiction. The direct and cadenced nature of his voice had the remarkable ability to turn intellectually intimidating work and ideas into accessible and personable beats.

It is obvious that he was a master of language. His insights and critiques were far from being sterile or clinical. By carefully identifying the subtleties, nuances, and intricacies of language, he offered readers a rich and immersive encounter with poetry.

This book truly distinguishes him as someone who highly valued youth, individual expression, and the delicately potent use of language. His words, such as "The decasyllable line is fine fine for someone who wants to meditate - or maunder. Me, I need something to jump in: hence the spins and shifts, the songs, the rants and howls. The shorter line can still serve us: it did when English was young, and when we were children," continue to resonate and inspire.
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Lycan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The statement that "The writer who maintains that he works without regard for the opinion of others is either a jackass or a pathological liar" is quite thought-provoking.

HA! This simple exclamation shows the author's strong reaction to this idea.

I truly love this book. It has such profound and interesting content that I will definitely return to it repeatedly.

Especially for the teaching aphorisms it contains. These aphorisms are like precious pearls, offering valuable insights and wisdom.

They can inspire readers, make them think deeply about various aspects of life and work, and help them gain a better understanding of the world and themselves.

This book is not only a source of entertainment but also a great educational tool.

It enriches our minds and broadens our horizons, making us more mature and intelligent.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves reading and seeking knowledge.

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HanHen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Eternal apprenticeship is the life of the true poet. This profound statement is from Selected notebook entries (1949-53), first published in Shenandoah, and then in Straw for the Fire.


This collection, which is filled with a wide variety of prose, ranging from concise aphorisms to meandering remarks, is a remarkable volume of poetic guidance by one of the greatest masters of the form. For instance, on just two pages (80-81), the author of the second-most famous villanelle in the English language (after Dylan Thomas's Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night) provides us with precise advice on three crucial aspects of poetry: rhythm (\"rhythm depends on expecting\"), diction (\"often a very good figure from another level or range will jar\"), and moments (\"beware the poetry of moments\"). This is the most solid advice that a beginner, unformed writer (56: \"the beginning writer is often neither bad nor good, but simply unformed\") could ever hope to receive.


However, Roethke's advice goes beyond generalities. At times, the master (Papa, as he would self-deprecatingly refer to himself) also focuses on specific technical details, even down to the level of the line itself. This is evident when he comments on the lines: \"It was my life, or so I said / And I did well, forsaking it / To go as quickly as the dead.\" Roethke explains that \"the technical trick is in the manipulation of the pause, the caesura, on the fourth and sixth syllables\" (58).


So, through him and this invaluable collection, we can learn by imitation - which is itself the subject of an entire essay in the book - by imitating his verse, his analysis, his rhythms, and his poetic sensibility. And perhaps, after a lifetime of apprenticeship, all we can do is to \"Be still\" and \"Wait.\"

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xSaylar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a compilation that consists of essays and quotes sourced from notebooks.

Some of these pieces were previously published in other places, and some were even under pseudonyms.

The sections that I found to be the most enlightening were the introduction penned by Carolyn Kizer and the essay that served as a tribute to the poet Louise Bogan.

However, it should be noted that this is not a comprehensive or unified book on poetry.

Many of the selections that were chosen to be reprinted simply struck me as rather strange.

I am unable to recommend this book, and I不禁 wonder what Roethke would have made of it.

Perhaps he would have had his own unique perspective and critique.

Nonetheless, it remains an interesting collection that offers a glimpse into different literary works and perspectives.

It may not be a perfect or definitive volume, but it does have its moments of interest and value.

Overall, it is a book that may appeal to some readers, while others may find it less engaging.

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