For a Jewish Puritan of the middle class, the novel is serious, the novel is work, the novel is conscientious application why, the novel is practically the retail business all over again. Howard Nemerov on business
I never abandoned either forms or freedom. I imagine that most of what could be called free verse is in my first book. I got through that fairly early. Howard Nemerov on freedom
The nice thing about the Bible is it doesn't give you too many facts. Two an a half lines and it tells you the whole story and that leaves you a great deal of freedom to elaborate on how it might have happened. Howard Nemerov on freedom
I would talk in iambic pentameter if it were easier. Howard Nemerov on funny
A chronicle is very different from history proper. Howard Nemerov on history
History is one of those marvelous and necessary illusions we have to deal with. It's one of the ways of dealing with our world with impossible generalities which we couldn't live without. Howard Nemerov on history
I think there was a revolution in poetry, associated chiefly with Eliot and Pound but maybe it is of the nature of revolutions or of the nature of history that their innovations should later come to look trivial or indistinguishable from technical tricks. Howard Nemerov on history
I do insist on making what I hope is sense so there's always a coherent narrative or argument that the reader can follow. Howard Nemerov on hope
I sometimes talk about the making of a poem within the poem. Howard Nemerov on poetry
A lot happens by accident in poetry. Howard Nemerov on poetry
I think there was a revolution in poetry, associated chiefly with Eliot and Pound but maybe it is of the nature of revolutions or of the nature of history that their innovations should later come to look trivial or indistinguishable from technical tricks. Howard Nemerov on poetry
I've never read a political poem that's accomplished anything. Poetry makes things happen, but rarely what the poet wants. Howard Nemerov on poetry
Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed. Howard Nemerov on science
The secrets of success are a good wife and a steady job. My wife told me. Howard Nemerov on success
A teacher is a person who never says anything once. Howard Nemerov on teacher
Nothing in the universe can travel at the speed of light, they say, forgetful of the shadow's speed. Howard Nemerov on travel