X. J. Kennedy Quotes

My real name is Joe Kennedy, but if you live in Massachusetts, you can't sign 'Joe Kennedy.' So, back in 1957, I stuck the X on my name to be different from those people in Hyannis Port.

- X. J. Kennedy

To me, a poem that's in rhyme and meter is the difference between watching a film in full color and watching a film in black and white. Not that a few black and white films aren't wonderful. So are certain successful pieces of free verse.

- X. J. Kennedy

As a writer given to the old formalities of rhyme and meter, I sometimes feel endangered these days.

- X. J. Kennedy

The attitude that poetry should not be analyzed is prevalent among many who consider themselves experts on children's literature. But I suspected that kids like to look closely at things and figure out what makes them go.

- X. J. Kennedy

I don't think anybody is a poet 24/7, only in those rare moments when a person is producing a poem.

- X. J. Kennedy

I like poems where you don't really know whether to laugh or cry when you read them.

- X. J. Kennedy