Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences and ask themselves with how many people and on how many occasions they have genuinely and profoundly shared some experience with another; they might also ask themselves how much poetry of any period they can honestly say that they understand.


The Dyer's Hand (1955), In the BBC weekly The Listener (30 June 1955)

W. H. Auden Quotes

Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences and ask themselves with how many people and on...

Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences and ask themselves with how many people and on...

Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences and ask themselves with how many people and on...

Before people complain of the obscurity of modern poetry, they should first examine their consciences and ask themselves with how many people and on...