John Ashbery

John Ashbery (born July 28, 1927) is an American poet. He was also a prominent art critic. His art criticism has been collected in the 1989 volume Reported Sightings, Art Chronicles 1957-1987, edited by the poet David Bergman.

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There is the view that poetry should improve your life. I think people confuse it with the Salvation Army.
- International Herald Tribune (Paris, October 2, 1989)^[1]

"Did I say that? One says so many things, and the problem is they all get written down."
- (In response to the question "Why do you call yourself anti-art?," Bard College, 2005)

In the beginning there are those who don't quite fit in
But are somehow okay. And then some morning
There are places that suddenly seem wonderful:
Weather and water seem wonderful,
And the peaceful night sky that arrives
In time to protect us, like a sword
Cutting the blue cloak of a prince.
- "A Snowball in Hell," April Galleons