Paul Valéry: How poets write great poems.

This essay is adapted from Clive James’ Cultural Amnesia, a re-examination of intellectuals, artists, and thinkers who helped shape the 20^th century. Slate is publishing an exclusive selection of these essays, going roughly from A to Z.

Sometimes something wants to be said, sometimes a way of saying wants to be used.
—Paul Valéry, “Poésie et pensée abstraite,” from Modern French Poets on Poetry.

Paul Valéry: How poets write great poems.

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