TK

Ted Kooser

30quotes

Full Name and Common Aliases


Ted Kooser is a renowned American poet, former U.S. Poet Laureate, and essayist. His full name is William Thomas "Ted" Kooser.

Birth and Death Dates


Born on February 22, 1940, in Ames, Iowa, Ted Kooser's life has been marked by an enduring passion for poetry and creative expression.

Nationality and Profession(s)


Kooser's nationality is American, and he has worked as a poet, essayist, and former U.S. Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006.

Early Life and Background


Growing up on his family's farm in Iowa, Kooser developed an intimate connection with the natural world that would later influence his poetry. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1962, he served in the United States Army. Upon his return, he attended the Writers' Workshop at the University of Iowa, where he earned his M.F.A.

Major Accomplishments


Throughout his career, Kooser has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his poetry. Some of his notable accomplishments include:

Being appointed as the 13th U.S. Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006.
 Receiving the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry for Delights & Shadows (2004).
Serving as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets.

Notable Works or Actions


Kooser's poetry is known for its accessibility and exploration of everyday life. Some notable works include:

Delights & Shadows, which won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry.
* Flying at Night (1995), a collection that explores themes of identity and human connection.

Impact and Legacy


As a poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate, Kooser has played a significant role in promoting poetry and encouraging readers to engage with its power. His commitment to making poetry accessible has helped bridge the gap between literary circles and a broader audience.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered


Ted Kooser is widely quoted and remembered for his ability to capture the essence of everyday experiences through his poetry. As U.S. Poet Laureate, he helped to promote poetry in schools, hospitals, and libraries across the country, inspiring countless readers and writers along the way.

Quotes by Ted Kooser

Ted Kooser's insights on:

Coyote hunting can’t be justified on the basis of the damage they do. Shooting coyotes is really just fun, a man with a high-powered rifle trying to see if he can kill a frightened creature that can’t shoot back.
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Coyote hunting can’t be justified on the basis of the damage they do. Shooting coyotes is really just fun, a man with a high-powered rifle trying to see if he can kill a frightened creature that can’t shoot back.
TK
There’s nothing wrong with delighting in what you do. In fact, most of the fun you’ll have as a poet will come about during the process of writing.
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There’s nothing wrong with delighting in what you do. In fact, most of the fun you’ll have as a poet will come about during the process of writing.
TK
Wisdom is easy to carry but difficult to load.
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Wisdom is easy to carry but difficult to load.
TK
I like the idea of there being times when even words cost so much you used them sparingly. I have known a lot of old men and women who talked as if they were paying Western Union by the word.
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I like the idea of there being times when even words cost so much you used them sparingly. I have known a lot of old men and women who talked as if they were paying Western Union by the word.
TK
Turtle has just one plan at a time, and every cell buys into it.
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Turtle has just one plan at a time, and every cell buys into it.
TK
It is all around us, free, this wonderful life: clear jingle of tire chains, the laughter of ice that breaks under our boots. Each hour’s a gift to those who take it up.
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It is all around us, free, this wonderful life: clear jingle of tire chains, the laughter of ice that breaks under our boots. Each hour’s a gift to those who take it up.
TK
I farm a little plot of things to say, with not much frontage on the busy road.
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I farm a little plot of things to say, with not much frontage on the busy road.
TK
There are mornings when everything brims with promise, even my empty cup.
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There are mornings when everything brims with promise, even my empty cup.
TK
Just as a dancer, turning and turning, may fill the dusty light with the soft swirl of her flying skirts, our weeping willow – now old and broken, creaking in the breeze – turns slowly, slowly in the winter sun, sweeping the rusty roof of the barn with the pale blue lacework of her shadow.
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Just as a dancer, turning and turning, may fill the dusty light with the soft swirl of her flying skirts, our weeping willow – now old and broken, creaking in the breeze – turns slowly, slowly in the winter sun, sweeping the rusty roof of the barn with the pale blue lacework of her shadow.
TK
Sometimes you sense how faithfully your life is delivered, even though you can’t read the address.
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Sometimes you sense how faithfully your life is delivered, even though you can’t read the address.
TK
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