"Auden observes that a poem or a novel is a gratuitous not a useful object, like a lathe or an automobile. The impracticality of poetry is a feature, not a bug."
"Poetry is part of everyday human reality, and also one of our tools for taking stock of that reality and commemorating our passage through it, alone and together."
"Auden's gifts were abundant, and his generosity was legendary, documented by Edward Mendelson, showcasing discreet kindness directed at friends, colleagues, and strangers."
"Some of his best verse of the postwar era takes the form of letters, wedding toasts, public remarks and dinner-party witticisms, as if poetry were a grand game of words with friends."
Auden viewed poetry as a gratuitous object, emphasizing its impracticality as a feature that enriches human experience. He believed poetry helps individuals take stock of reality and commemorate their lives. His generosity extended beyond his work, as documented by biographer Edward Mendelson, showcasing kindness towards others. Auden's later poetry often took the form of personal letters and remarks, reflecting a playful spirit. 'The More Loving One' serves as a thoughtful gift to readers, offering amusement while containing deeper meanings through irony and rhyme.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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