Pablo Neruda

Granted one poet’s experience
with manual metaphysics
doesn’t make a poetics;
but I’ve pared my nails to the quick
to temper my craft
and these shabby prescriptions
I learned for myself, at first hand,
If you find them uncouth
for a poet’s vocation,
I agree – no apologies needed!
I smile toward the future
and I am gone before you can give me your reasons.
Pablo Neruda
( from one of my old diaries )