Epigram

Portrait of Samuel Coleridge
Samuel Coleridge 1772–1834

Sir, I admit your general rule, That every poet is a fool, But you yourself may serve to show it, That every fool is not a poet.

Keep reading

Discover more of Samuel Coleridge’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 1 comment

Add your reading ↓
Readers
1
Longest reading
Nick B.121 words
  1. Nick B. United States

    This poem means exactly what it says. As an epigram, it plays with the concept of logic I recall from IQ tests (ie. if all womps are wobbles, ad all wobbles are zonks; then are all zonks necessarily womps?) The epigram's purpose is most clearly seen as a response to criticism. Lines 3 and 4 are a subtle retaliation on the part of the poet by basically saying: "All fools are not poets...just look at you!" It's also witty that a poet replied to his critic(s) in the form of a poem.

    The title itself is "Epigram". The poet was so inventive with the execution of his 'comeback' that he, however, had little creativity in the way of developing a title.

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.