James Schuyler Quotes

Powerful James Schuyler for Daily Growth

About James Schuyler

James Schuyler (February 4, 1923 – October 28, 1991) was an influential American poet, a central figure in the New York School of poets, which also included Frank O'Hara, John Ashbery, and Kenneth Koch. Born in Chicago, Schuyler moved to New York City at the age of 17, where he would spend most of his life immersed in the vibrant cultural scene. Schuyler's early poetry was influenced by the Beat Generation and his personal experiences, including his struggles with homosexuality, which were often reflected in his work. However, it was not until the late 1950s, when he became a member of the New York School, that Schuyler truly found his voice as a poet. His style is characterized by its conversational tone, lyrical beauty, and keen observations of everyday life. One of Schuyler's most notable works is "The Morning of the Poem" (1963), a long poem that explores the process of writing and the interconnectedness of all things. Another significant work is "A Few Days" (1978), a series of short poems based on his daily observations during a visit to Provincetown, Massachusetts. Schuyler's poetry was praised for its originality, intelligence, and emotional depth. He won several prestigious awards, including the National Book Award in 1969 for his collection "The Morning of the Poem." Despite his personal struggles with alcoholism and ill health, Schuyler remained active in the literary world until his death from AIDS-related complications in 1991. His legacy continues to influence a new generation of poets.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Everyone's a poet from the neck up."

This quote by James Schuyler suggests that every person possesses the potential for creativity, particularly in their thoughts and intellect, which is often expressed poetically - meaning, deeply emotional or expressive. Essentially, he implies that everyone has the ability to think and feel poetically, not just those who write poetry professionally.

"Poetry is where language becomes music and music becomes emotion."

James Schuyler's quote suggests that poetry transcends ordinary language to create a unique, musical form of expression. The rhythm, rhyme, and cadence in the words composing a poem allow it to become its own kind of music, evoking deep emotions within readers or listeners. Essentially, poetry is a means to transform everyday language into a powerful emotional experience by making it poetic or melodious.

"The poem is not a thing but a relationship between things."

James Schuyler's quote emphasizes that a poem isn't an isolated object, but rather a connection or interaction among various elements – thoughts, emotions, images, sounds, and experiences. The essence of a poem lies in the relationships it creates between these diverse components, shaping meaning and evoking responses. This interpretation highlights the subjective nature of poetry, where each reader may perceive unique connections based on their personal experiences and perspectives.

"When you write a poem, it's like you're opening a door to another world."

This quote by James Schuyler suggests that when one creates poetry, they are effectively constructing a portal or gateway into an alternate realm of imagination, emotion, and meaning - distinct yet connected to our own world. Writing a poem is not just about putting words on a page; it's about inviting readers to explore new dimensions through the power of language, thought, and creativity.

"The best poems are the ones that make you feel a little bit more alive."

This quote emphasizes that the essence of poetry lies in evoking a heightened sense of life or consciousness within readers. The implication is that good poetry should not only entertain but also provoke, inspire, or illuminate aspects of existence, thereby making the reader feel more alive, engaged, and receptive to their surroundings and emotions. In other words, it suggests that poetry has a transformative power to enrich our lives by expanding our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

To change your phrase somewhat, I know that I like an art where disparate elements form an entity.

- James Schuyler

Change, Art, Like, Elements

In the past I have declined to comment on my own work: because, it seems to me, a poem is what it is; because a poem is itself a definition, and to try to redefine it is to be apt to falsify it; and because the author is the person least able to consider his work objectively.

- James Schuyler

Own, Least, Redefine, Declined

It seems to me that readers sometimes make the genesis of a poem more mysterious than it is (by that I perhaps mean, think of it as something outside their own experience).

- James Schuyler

Think, Sometimes, More, Genesis

However, intention needn't enter in, and if a reader sees things in a religious way, and the work is dogmatically acceptable, then I don't see why it should not be interpreted in that way, as well as in others.

- James Schuyler

Religious, However, Reader, Interpreted

I do not usually revise much, though I often cut, particularly the end or toward the end of a poem.

- James Schuyler

Cut, Toward, Particularly, Revise

One tends to write beyond what's needed.

- James Schuyler

Beyond, Write, Needed, Tends

However, if a poem can be reduced to a prose sentence, there can't be much to it.

- James Schuyler

Poetry, Prose, However, Reduced

It is always pleasant to learn that someone takes an interest in a work which one enjoyed writing.

- James Schuyler

Someone, Always, Which, Enjoyed

The aim of the poet, or other artist, is first to make something; and it's impossible to make something out of words and not communicate.

- James Schuyler

Aim, Communicate, Other, Poet

Well, if this is poetry, I'm certainly never going to write any myself.

- James Schuyler

Myself, Never, Going, Certainly

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