You should always be trying to write a poem you are unable to write, a poem you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve. Otherwise you're merely imitating yourself, going nowhere, because that's always easiest.

John Berryman
About This Quote

In the quote above, W. H. Auden was actually warning against writing bad poetry. Although this sounds like a paradox, it is actually quite common.

If you are not able to write something, it is far easier to simply write about something you are able to write about. Or, if you lack the technique, language or courage to write something yourself, it is far easier to simply mimic someone else's work than try to create your own original piece of art. The only time you should be trying to write bad poetry is when you are trying to learn how to write good poetry.

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