Lawrence Ferlinghetti delivered these thoughts on the occasion of his receiving The Frost Medal in 2003:

The poet by definition, as the bearer of Eros and love and freedom, is the natural-born non-violent enemy of the state.

Militant poetry as the agent of truth is the best arm against home-grown fascism.
Dissident poetry is not Un-American.

There are three kinds of poetry. Lying-down poetry is supine poetry that accepts the status quo and is so laid back it has a hard time keeping awake.

Sitting poetry is ambivalent poetry written by the sitting establishment with vested interests, its bottom line dictated by its day job.

Standing poetry is the poetry of commitment, often great, often dreadful.