From the second canto of Kavikanthabharanam by Kshemendra

With his own
eyes a poet
observes the shape of a leaf.
He knows how to make
people laugh
and studies the nature of each living thing.
The features of ocean and mountain,
the movement of sun, moon and stars.
His thoughts turn with the seasons.
He travels among different people
learning their landscapes,
learning their languages.

as quoted in The Cane Groves of Narmada River