Jan Zwicky

"In the moment of creating I am aware neither of myself nor of others."

"Other times I am pestered by a recurrent visual image and this image will resonate with some tone-rhythm pattern , only after that does language start to come."

"When I write I am attempting to do justice to something I have glimpsed about the world."

"In my poetry, I am just as influenced by musicians or composers. As I am by people who create with words."

"A poem might begin for me from a rhythmical phrase without words but with an an emotional / tonal pitch or colour which will announce itself.Other times I' ll just become obsessed by something..hoping…"

"Art is not merely a decorative enhancement of our lives but a sign of our desire to live in the world fully and honestly."

"Lyric poetry is a kind of poetry that's literally musical."

"Most poetry involves rhythmically structured or patterned language, avoiding what might be called 'a singing line'."