Sri Aurobindo

Letters of Sri Aurobindo

Volume 2. 1937

Letter ID: 1869

Sri Aurobindo — Nirodbaran Talukdar

March 7, 1937

“Quite successful” only? When will this be followed by a little more warmth and exhilaration, can you predict?

Well, I can write, if you want: “Superlative! Extraordinary! Unimaginable! Surprising! Inexpressible! Ineffable!” That ought to be warm and exhilarating –

I told you that I have written two poems in an hour. Should I have written one instead and revised it to make it a better egg if possible?

No such rule necessary.

But when this stuff itself is not very remarkable, can further labour improve it much?

Only detail corrections needed.

Wouldn’t it be a waste of time?

Yes.

I could write instead another poem if it pours in?

Yes.

Of course one can go on altering and altering till an altogether new poem is created. That is what you do, I understand.

That is for “big” poetry. Short poems I usually revise only once and alterations are not many.