Plagiarism:

[billy]

Yes. And if you were exposed for stealing my poetry, I'd get attention in the scandal. And if you get away with it, good for you. Other than money or moral issues, it would be a ego boost too for the poet that's been robbed.

---

And I think that if the quotation is blatant, it should be obvious that it's being used because it wants the specific mood it creates to be cast over that part of the poem. Risky sometimes, but I don't have a problem with it.

i see what you're saying but not everyone is an encyclopaedia of poetry.
not every one knows all Shakespeare's lines or works. how do we define the truth of whether it's being used and claimed as ones own or if indeed it's more of a homage. surely the main function of accrediting the owner is to let those who would have no idea, that the work is not one's own. so sorry but blatant quotes are seldom seen as such.

And if you get away with it, good for you. Other than money or moral issues,

the above phrase seems to be at odds because it more or less covers everything, after all, isn't stealing morally wrong?
wouldn't it be morally wrong to take the risk knowing many would think the words one's own.

i do admit to doing a homage poem or two without crediting the poet but all the words were my own. that said i suppose in hind site i should have mentioned it on the william carlos williams poem, but it is an accepted form.
the other one one was a homage poem for sexton that was obvious because i used her real name as the title. but still, i think i could and should have said more.

all the above aside, how would you feel should someone steal a poem get it published, then argue it's yours (for the fame/ego factor) only to have all the critics ask; why the fuck did they steal that poem, it's utter shite?