Cavafy on poetry.
'Also care should be taken not to lose from sight that a state of feeling is true and false, possible and impossible at the same time, or rather by turns. And the poet - who, even when he works the most philosophically, remains an artist - gives one side: which does not mean that he denies the obverse, or even - though perhaps this is stretching the point - that he wishes to imply that the side he treats is the truest, or the one oftener true. He merely describes a possible and an occurring state of feeling - sometimes very transient, sometimes of some duration.
'Very often the poet’s work has but a vague meaning: it is a suggestion: the thoughts are to be enlarged by future generations or by his immediate readers: Plato said that poets utter great meanings without realising them themselves.
'I have said above that the poet always remains an artist. As an artist he should avoid - without denying - the seemingly highest - seemingly, for it is quite proved that it is the highest - philosophy of the absolute worthlessness of effort and of the inherent contradiction in every human utterance. If he deny it: he must work. If he accept it: he must work still, though with the consciousness of his work being but finally toys, - at best toys capable of being utilised for some worthier or better purpose, or the very handling of which prepares for some worthier or better work.'
Hellenisimos.com
'Very often the poet’s work has but a vague meaning: it is a suggestion: the thoughts are to be enlarged by future generations or by his immediate readers: Plato said that poets utter great meanings without realising them themselves.
'I have said above that the poet always remains an artist. As an artist he should avoid - without denying - the seemingly highest - seemingly, for it is quite proved that it is the highest - philosophy of the absolute worthlessness of effort and of the inherent contradiction in every human utterance. If he deny it: he must work. If he accept it: he must work still, though with the consciousness of his work being but finally toys, - at best toys capable of being utilised for some worthier or better purpose, or the very handling of which prepares for some worthier or better work.'
Hellenisimos.com