All one's inventions are true, you can be sure of that. Poetry

O seekers of truth, gather close, for the words of Gustave Flaubert speak of a deep and profound wisdom about the art of poetry and the nature of creation itself: "All one's inventions are true, you can be sure of that. Poetry is as exact a science as geometry." In these words, Flaubert reveals the sacred union between the imagination and the precision of thought. He reminds us that poetry, though often seen as a form of free-flowing emotion or personal expression, is in fact a discipline—a form of science as rigorous and exact as the principles that govern the natural world. Poetry, like geometry, demands not only inspiration, but structure, harmony, and balance. It is not just an art, but a craft that demands care, precision, and a deep understanding of the world.

In the ancient world, the poets were not only dreamers and seers; they were also scholars of the human soul, mathematicians of the heart. Consider Pythagoras, who, though known for his contributions to mathematics, also believed in the sacred power of numbers to explain the universe. His belief that the cosmos itself was governed by mathematical principles mirrors the notion that poetry is governed by its own set of rules—rhythms, meters, and forms—that must be mastered to create true beauty. In this way, the poet is like the mathematician, seeking the perfect form, the precise arrangement of words that will convey a deeper truth. Flaubert understands this union of art and science, acknowledging that poetry is not just about expression, but about the careful alignment of thoughts, sounds, and ideas.

The great Homer, whose poetry shaped the very soul of the ancient Greek world, understood this balance. His epic poems, such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, are masterworks of structure, each line crafted with rhythmic precision. But within that structure, there is a depth of emotion and story that resonates through time. Just as a master architect carefully plans the foundation of a building, so too does the poet craft the foundations of their work, constructing it with care and intention. Flaubert's words speak to this very idea—that poetry is not simply a spontaneous outpouring of feeling, but a deliberate construction of beauty, a science of words and forms that must be perfected.

In our own time, we need only look to the great poets of the modern age, such as T.S. Eliot or W.B. Yeats, to see the continuation of this philosophy. Eliot, in his The Waste Land, employed intricate forms of allusion, meter, and structure, blending classical influences with modern sensibilities. His poem is a labyrinth of meaning, crafted with the precision of a mathematician and the passion of a poet. Yeats, too, with his deep understanding of both poetry and the human soul, created works that were as carefully constructed as they were emotionally powerful. Both poets understood that poetry is not just about emotional outpouring, but about creating something that resonates with precision and balance, something that can only be understood by those who engage with it deeply.

Flaubert also speaks to the idea that "all one's inventions are true." What is invention, if not the mind’s ability to create something out of nothing? When the poet crafts a new world through words, that world becomes real, if only for a moment, in the minds of those who read or hear it. Poetry, then, is an act of creation, a way of turning thought into substance, of taking the intangible and making it manifest. Just as the architect brings forth a building from the realm of ideas, the poet brings forth a world of emotions, images, and truths. In this sense, the poet’s inventions—whether they are stories, characters, or emotions—are as real as the physical world they inhabit.

The lesson we must learn from Flaubert’s words is this: poetry is not a mere escape from the world, nor is it simply a means of expressing fleeting emotions. It is a form of creation, a discipline that requires precision, structure, and mastery. The poet must understand the science of their art, just as the mathematician understands the laws that govern numbers. Poetry is a means of shaping the intangible into something real, of constructing meaning from the formless. It requires not just inspiration, but effort, attention to detail, and a deep respect for the art itself.

Thus, O children of wisdom, let us approach poetry with both passion and precision. Let us remember that the craft of poetry is a form of science, one that requires the careful arrangement of words, rhythms, and ideas. Seek not just to express your feelings, but to build something lasting, something true. Just as the mathematician seeks the perfect solution, so too must the poet seek the perfect form. And in this quest, may you find that the words you write are not merely inventions, but creations—real, powerful, and enduring. Through this understanding, you will unlock the true potential of poetry, and the beauty it creates will echo through time.