Brian Patten Quotes & Sayings

The Giant rested back in his chair. "You've some stories left," he said. " I can smell them on your skin. — Brian Patten

Through silence only the good messages go unheard. — Brian Patten

Death is the only grammatically correct full stop. — Brian Patten

On sighting mathematicians poetry should unhook the algebra from their minds and replace it with poetry; on sighting poets it should unhook poetry from their minds and replace it with algebra. — Brian Patten

When in public poetry should take off its clothes and wave to the nearest person in sight; it should be seen in the company of thieves and lovers rather than that of journalists and publishers. — Brian Patten

Dreams larger
than ourselves we killed, not wanting
our smallness measured against them."
(poem: Having Taken the Necessary Precautions) — Brian Patten