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I am however a rather derivative poet.  I learn what I can from whom I can, mostly consciously.  I borrow heavily from my reading because I take my reading seriously: it is part of my total experience and I base most of my poetry on my experience.  I do not apologize for being derivative because I think a lot of other poets work in this way.

--thom gunn

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It’s so widely accepted by painters to copy the greats, but then when it comes to poets, they say, “Oh, no, I don’t copy, I don’t do that.” That is also ignoring the fact that there’s nothing new under the sun. The tradition is so old in fact, I like to be a derivative poet, it is a very freeing thing to say and to know, because then you’re not looking over your shoulder anymore. You have accepted it.

--cedar sigo