John Berryman Quotes on poetry

These Songs are not meant to be understood, you understand. They are only meant to terrify

John Berryman

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John Berryman

John Allyn McAlpin Berryman (born John Allyn Smith, Jr.; October 25, 1914 – January 7, 1972) was an American poet and scholar. He was a major figure in American poetry in the second half of the 20th century and is considered a key figure in the "confessional" school of poetry. His best-known work is The Dream Songs.

Source: Wikipedia

John Berryman

I do strongly feel that among the greatest pieces of luck for high achievement is ordeal. Certain great artists can make out without it, Titian and others, but mostly you need ordeal. My idea is this: the artist is extremely lucky who is presented with the worst possible ordeal which will not actually kill him. At that point, he's in business: Beethoven's deafness, Goya's deafness, Milton's blindness, that kind of thing.

poetry literature luck idea business art kind achievement artist artists feel pieces blindness lucky great worst kill thing
John Berryman

You should always be trying to write a poem you are unable to write, a poem you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve. Otherwise you're merely imitating yourself, going nowhere, because that's always easiest.

poetry writing
John Berryman

These Songs are not meant to be understood, you understand. They are only meant to terrify

poetry
John Berryman

Springwater grow so thick it gonna clot and the pleasing ladies cease. I figure, yup, you is bad powers.

poetry

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John Berryman quotes on poetry

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