Known for his contributions to the New York School of poetry, Kenneth Koch was a prominent American poet and playwright in the middle of the 20th century. He was an advocate of making poetry approachable and enjoyable, frequently using lighthearted and creative language to inspire others to find the beauty in ordinary existence.

In this quotation, Koch recalls a dynamic time in his early career when he was encircled by a group of passionate artist friends who all shared their love of the arts. In addition to experimenting with new styles and techniques, these painter friends also demonstrated an interest in poetry, which at the time was highly surprising. This shared passion produced a vibrant atmosphere where different artistic mediums could interact, resulting in fascinating partnerships and creative concepts.

Koch calls this environment "wonderful" because it encouraged a sense of belonging among artists who were interacting with various forms of creative expression in addition to sharing their own work. Like the bubbles in a carbonated drink that contribute to its lively taste, the word "fizzy" implies that there was a lively and exuberant buzz in the air.

Think of these friends as a vibrant garden, with each artist's creations representing distinct flowers. While painters would be cultivating vivid bursts of color on their canvases, poets might be growing delicate yet potent blooms full of words and imagery in this garden. These artists' interactions are comparable to bees pollinating flowers, dispersing pollen and promoting growth wherever they go.

Koch demonstrates to us through his experiences and observations how interdisciplinary collaboration can foster artistic growth and result in novel viewpoints and captivating new creations.