Quotations by Author

Karl Shapiro

To make the child in your own image is a capital crime, for your image is not worth repeating. The child knows this and you know it. Consequently you hate each other.

Sentio ergo sum: he feels his way /And words themselves stand up for him like Braille,/ And punch and perforate his parchment ear.

The body, what is it, Father, but a sign /To love the force that grows us, to give back /What in Thy palm is senselessness and mud?

Oh, it is I,/ Incredibly skinny, stooped, and neat as pie,/ Ignorant as dirt, erotic as an ape, /Dreamy as puberty - with dirty hair!