I was looking through a book of drawings and commentaries of Louise Bourgoise, and found this on a bookmark. I hadn't noticed it before, "Every word was once a poem."

That is Emerson. Bourgoise's own statements are also poems. Or once were.

"Every word was once a poem."

Don't think I quite get this, insel, but it is so good to hear from you again! Welcome back!

"Every word was once a poem" points to the birthing of words as an image, a metaphor, which attempted to capture the associated thing or deed or motion, or even the idle connection of a conjunction.

And it's great to see you back, insel!

Hmm. I like that explanation Wo'N. It sings true in my mind.

That *does make sense, Wo'N. Never would have come up with it on my own but. Thanks!

Good to see you again, inselpeter!

Any recomendations of Bourgoise works? Or possibly the name of that "book of"?

Every word was once a poem.

Acknowledgment of the 'minimalist school', praps?

points to the birthing of words - if you think of the etymology: greek poiein to make, to create, this seems most likely. I think Emerson liked to go to the roots of words.

poiein --> poem?

Greek poi typically would be transliterated into Latin poe. The -ein is the Greek infinitive verb ending, IIRC.

Yep. Full marks, Jackie. Greek poiema -- something made or done, invention, work, poem.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?O658127D5

Bingley