Draft of poem by Kevin Clark, poet, essayist, and teacher in the English Department at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo.
“There is only one plot: Things are not what they seem.”
“Poetry is a dream dreamed in the presence of reason.”
“The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.”
“Keep your eye clear and hit ’em where they ain’t.”
“Let’s play two.”
“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.”
“A work of art is never completed, merely abandoned.”
“The art of running the mile consists, in essence, of reaching the threshold of consciousness at the instant of breasting the tape.”
“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?”
“For me the initial delight is in the surprise of remembering something I didn’t know I already knew.”
“Poetry begins where certitude ends.”
“I like restraint—if doesn’t go too far.”
“In the midst of our happiness we were very pleased.”