In this quote, Peter Davison is describing the essence of poetry. He recommends that poetry is not practically words on a page, however rather it is a kind of expression that is meant to be spoken and heard. The act of composing poetry resembles producing a melody for the breath, as if the words are meant to be sung or spoken in a rhythmic way. This highlights the significance of the oral tradition in poetry, where the words are suggested to be shared and experienced through the breath. It also highlights the power of poetry to stimulate emotions and get in touch with others on a much deeper level. Overall, this quote catches the essence of poetry as a type of artistic expression that is indicated to be experienced through the breath.
"I think Ginsberg has done more harm to the craft that I honor and live by than anybody else by reducing it to a kind of mean that enables the most dubious practitioners to claim they are poets because they think, If the kind of thing Ginsberg does is poetry, I can do that"
"Nothing truly convincing - which would possess thoroughness, vigor, and skill - has been written against the ancients as yet; especially not against their poetry"
"The dance can reveal everything mysterious that is hidden in music, and it has the additional merit of being human and palpable. Dancing is poetry with arms and legs"
"A book is sent out into the world, and there is no way of fully anticipating the responses it will elicit. Consider the responses called forth by the Bible, Homer, Shakespeare - let alone contemporary poetry or a modern novel"