I do not go in search of poetry. I wait for poetry to visit me

I do not go in search of poetry. I wait for poetry to visit me

Eugenio Montale, the renowned Italian poet and Nobel laureate, once famously said, “I do not go in search of poetry. I wait for poetry to visit me.” These words encapsulate Montale’s unique approach to writing and his belief in the power of inspiration. Montale was known for his introspective and contemplative style, often drawing on personal experiences and emotions to create his evocative and profound poetry.

For Montale, poetry was not something that could be forced or manufactured. It was a natural and organic process that required patience and receptivity. He believed that true poetry came from a place of deep introspection and emotional honesty, and that it could not be conjured up through sheer willpower or effort. Instead, Montale waited for the muse to come to him, trusting in the creative process to unfold in its own time and in its own way.

Montale’s words also speak to his belief in the power of the subconscious mind and the importance of being open to the unexpected. He understood that inspiration could come from the most unlikely of places and that creativity was a mysterious and unpredictable force. By waiting for poetry to visit him, Montale allowed himself to be receptive to the world around him, to the beauty and the pain, the joy and the sorrow, that he encountered in his daily life.

In this sense, Montale’s approach to poetry can be seen as a form of mindfulness, a way of being fully present in the moment and attuned to the world around him. By waiting for poetry to visit him, Montale was able to tap into a deeper wellspring of creativity and insight, drawing on his own experiences and emotions to create poetry that resonated with readers around the world.