On Poetry

And what of pure poetry? Poetry’s absolute power will purify men, all

men. “Poetry must be made by all. Not by one.” So said Lautréamont. All

the ivory towers will be demolished, all speech will be holy, and, having at

last come into the reality which is his, man will need only to shut his eyes

to see the gates of wonder opening.

—Paul Éluard, “Poetic Evidence”