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I think the best American poetry is the poetry that utilizes the resources of poetry rather than exploits the defects or triumphs of the poet's personality.

Distinctly American poetry is usually written in the context of one's geographic landscape, sometimes out of one's cultural myths, and often with reference to gender and race or ethnic origins.

American poetry, like American painting, is always personal with an emphasis on the individuality of the poet.

I would say that American poetry has always been a poetry of personal testimony.

From reading a previous answer, you know that I consider all those aspects to be part of American cultural myth and thus they figure into good American poetry, whether the poet is aware of what he is doing or not.

American poetry is this country's greatest patrimony. It takes a stranger to see some things clearly. This is one of them, and I am that stranger.

Americans have been tremendously fortunate in poetry, regarding both the quantity and quality of poetry produced. Unfortunately, it remains in schools and universities; it is not widely distributed.

I defer to all these other American poets who, for some reason, I both envy and admire.

Twentieth-century American poetry has been one of the glories of modern literature.

American poetry to me is a sort of relentless, nonstop sermon on human autonomy.