Karl Shapiro Quotes

"Already old, the question Who shall die? Becomes unspoken Who is innocent?"
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Old, Question)

"But with exquisite breathing you smile, with satisfaction of love, And I touch you again as you tick in the silence and settle in sleep."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Love, Satisfaction, Silence, Sleep, Smile)

"The good poet sticks to his real loves, those within the realm of possibility. He never tries to hold hands with God or the human race."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: God, Possibility, Race)

"The doctor punched my vein, the captain called me Cain, upon my belly sat the sow of fear."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Fear)

"Poetry is innocent, not wise. It does not learn from experience, because each poetic experience is unique."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Experience, Poetry)

"My soul is now her day, my day her night, So I lie down, and so I rise."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Lie, Soul, Day, Night, Now)

"In the tight belly of the dead, Burrow with hungry head, And inlay maggots like a jewel."
- Karl Shapiro

"Laughter and grief join hands. Always the heart Clumps in the breast with heavy stride; The face grows lined and wrinkled like a chart, The eyes bloodshot with tears and tide. Let the wind blow, for many a man shall die."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Heart, Eyes, Grief, Laughter, Man, Tears, Wind)

"Lastly, his tomb shall list and founder in the troughs of grass. And none shall speak his name."
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Name)

"The body, what is it, Father, but a sign To love the force that grows us, to give back What in Thy palm is senselessness and mud?"
- Karl Shapiro
(Related: Love, Father, Body, Force)