In his essay "Retrospect," Pound gives advice to new poets, detailing his opinions, approach, and ideas regarding the craft.
There has been so much scribbling about a new fashion in poetry, that I may perhaps be pardoned this brief recapitulation and retrospect.
In the spring or early summer of 1912, 'H. D.', Richard Aldington and myself decided that we were agreed upon the three principles following:
1. Direct treatment of the 'thing' whether subjective
or objective.
2. To use absolutely no word that does not contribute
to the presentation.
3. As regarding rhythm: to compose in the sequence
of the musical phrase, not in sequence of a metronome.
Upon many points of taste and of predilection we differed, but agreeing upon these three positions we thought we had as much right to.....
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