A. R. Ammons

A.R. Ammons (February 18, 1926 – February 25, 2001) was an American poet known for his expansive, philosophical approach to poetry. His work often explored themes of nature, the human experience, and the tension between individual identity and the larger forces of the universe. Ammons was celebrated for his ability to combine technical skill with profound reflections on life, often using natural imagery and forms to express deeper emotional and intellectual concerns.

Ammons's poetry was characterized by its formal inventiveness and its openness to experimentation. He frequently employed free verse and long, sprawling lines, reflecting the complexity and unpredictability of both nature and human consciousness. His work ranges from the meditative to the deeply personal, often revealing a sense of wonder and an attempt to understand humanity's place in the cosmos.

Some of his most notable collections include Sphere (1968), Corsons Inlet (1965), Garbage (1993), and The Really Short Poems of A.R. Ammons (2000). Garbage, in particular, won the National Book Award for Poetry, cementing his reputation as one of America's leading poets.

In addition to his poetry, Ammons was an academic, teaching at Cornell University for many years, where he influenced many young poets. His work was often praised for its philosophical depth and its capacity to evoke the interconnectedness of all things, particularly through the lens of nature and its cycles.

Ammons was also known for his resistance to literary trends and his commitment to exploring the mystery of the world through poetry, maintaining an enduring belief in the power of language to capture the complexities of life.

Articles by the author

Everything is discursive opinion instead of direct experience.

A. R. Ammons

In nature there are few sharp lines.

A. R. Ammons

Once every five hundred years or so, a summary statement about poetry comes along that we can't imagine ourselves living without.

A. R. Ammons

If we ask a vague question, such as, 'What is poetry?' we expect a vague answer, such as, 'Poetry is the music of words,' or 'Poetry is the linguistic correction of disorder.'

A. R. Ammons

That's a wonderful change that's taken place, and so most poetry today is published, if not directly by the person, certainly by the enterprise of the poet himself, working with his friends.

A. R. Ammons

Poetry leads us to the unstructured sources of our beings, to the unknown, and returns us to our rational, structured selves refreshed.

A. R. Ammons

Probably all the attention to poetry results in some value, though the attention is more often directed to lesser than to greater values.

A. R. Ammons

I am grateful for - though I can't keep up with - the flood of articles, theses, and textbooks that mean to share insight concerning the nature of poetry.

A. R. Ammons

The poet exposes himself to the risk. All that has been said about poetry, all that he has learned about poetry, is only a partial assurance.

A. R. Ammons

Besides the actual reading in class of many poems, I would suggest you do two things: first, while teaching everything you can and keeping free of it, teach that poetry is a mode of discourse that differs from logical exposition.

A. R. Ammons

There's something to be said in favor of working in isolation in the real world.

A. R. Ammons