The Practice and Art of Poetry

     "Can wisdom be documented in mere words?  Is ecstasy reportable?  Is there a way to look upon sorrow quietly, to consider it slowly and in detail, with all the time we require?

"At some point, if you want to make memorable poems, you'll need to get a feel for the line, for what it does when it is very short, very long, and every place in between; you'll need to be able to test its weight and heft according to the rhythms of the language you've strung along it; you'll want to use it to create tension or relaxation, to emphasize words, to speed up or slow down your reader's eye, to fulfill or thwart expectations.  These are the advantages of the skillfully used line, and like any other aspect of craft, such skill comes from practice."  ~Kim Addonizio, Dorianne Laux:  The Poet's Companion