A fresh and vigorous weed, always renewed and renewing, it will cut its wondrous way through rubbish and rubble. – William Jay Smith
As any parent, teacher, or librarian knows, there is no richer experience than to see children’s faces light up at the suspense of a new tale or the surprise of a new poem. The uninhibited joy with which they listen is surely akin to that of adult audiences of old around campfire and hearth. – William Jay Smith
I have always used a great variety of verse forms, especially in my poetry for children. I believe that poetry begins in childhood and that a poet who can remember his own childhood exactly can, and should, communicate to children. – William Jay Smith
To the poet, his travels, his adventures, his loves, his indignations are finally resolved in verse, and this, in the end becomes his permanent, indestructible life. – William Jay Smith
I have felt at times with groups of children that I was really being what every poet would like to be – a bard in the old sense. – William Jay Smith
I have published so many books in so many years. I can’t complain about any lack of attention. But I’ve never been placed as a Southern writer, which I really am. So I was happy finally to be published by someone in the South. – William Jay Smith
I always had good recognition from the Southern writers, but the publishers never took any notice of that. – William Jay Smith
For every artist, experience is never complete until it has been reproduced in creative work. – William Jay Smith
I still use a typewriter from time to time, but because I can’t type as well as I used to, I really don’t use one very much. – William Jay Smith
To Tennessee Williams we owe a special debt. In a tragic age, he has transformed loneliness by naming it for us, suffered sordidness with beauty, graced poor hurt lives with love and pity. – William Jay Smith
