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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National

Quote of the day by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin: "Poetry is like making a joke. If you get one word wrong at the end of a joke, you've lost..."

The quote of the day by W.S. Merwin "Poetry is like making a joke. If you get one word wrong at the end of a joke, you've lost the whole thing" offers a striking way to understand poetry, language and the importance of choosing the right words. Pulitzer Prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin compared poetry to something as seemingly simple as making a joke, where a single misplaced or incorrect word can completely change the impact of the ending.

“Poetry is like making a joke. If you get one word wrong at the end of a joke, you've lost the whole thing” is the quote of the day that reminds readers that words carry enormous weight. In poetry, the rhythm, sound, timing and meaning of individual words can determine whether a thought feels powerful, memorable or ordinary.

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