John BerrymanThem lady poets must not marry, pal. ✨ John Berryman (2014). His Toy, His Dream, His Rest, p.187, Macmillan376Humanity
John BerrymanThe 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. ✨ 1972 Interview in The Pari… ▶354Time
John BerrymanThese Songs are not meant to be understood, you understand. They are only meant to terrify & comfort.333Humanity
John BerrymanWe have reason to be afraid. This is a terrible place.324Death
John BerrymanThere is no such thing as Freedom (though it is the most important condition of human life, after Humility, -which does not exist either). There is only Slavery (walls around one)… ▶335HumanityLife
John BerrymanTwo daiquiris withdrew into a corner of a gorgeous room and one told the other a lie. ✨ John Berryman (2014). The Dream Songs: Poems, p.18, Macmillan314Humanity
John BerrymanI conclude now I have no inner resources, because I am heavy bored. Peoples bore me, literature bores me, especially great literature. ✨ John Berryman (2014). 77 Dream Songs… ▶282HumanityReading
John BerrymanLife, friends, is boring. We must not say so. After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns, we ourselves flash and yearn, and moreover my mother told me as a boy (repeatedly) … ▶348Life
John BerrymanWishin' was dyin' but I gotta make it all this way to that bed on these feet. ✨ John Berryman (2014). The Dream Songs: Poems, p.44, Macmillan286Sadness
John BerrymanI 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 ord… ▶242LifeThoughtTime
John BerrymanI cry. Evil dissolves, & love, like foam; that love. Prattle of children powers me home, my heart claps like the swan's under a frenzy of who love me & who shine. ✨ The Hear… ▶297LovePoliticsSadness
John Berrymansomething has been said for sobriety but very little. ✨ John Berryman (2014). 77 Dream Songs: Poems, p.64, Macmillan289Philosophy
John BerrymanThat is our ‘pointed task. Love & die. ✨ John Berryman (2014). 77 Dream Songs: Poems, p.40, Macmillan225DeathLove
John BerrymanWe must travel in the direction of our fear. ✨ A Point of Age l. 42 (1948)225Love
John BerrymanOne must be ruthless with one's own writing or someone else will be.2410Thought
John BerrymanI am so wise I had my mouth sewn shut. ✨ John Berryman (2014). The Dream Songs: Poems, p.24, Macmillan206Humanity
John BerrymanYou 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 yoursel… ▶208Reflection
John BerrymanLife, friends, is boring. We must not say so. After all, the sky flashes, the great sea yearns, we ourselves flash and yearn ✨ John Berryman (2014). 77 Dream Songs: Poems, p… ▶176Life
John BerrymanSo if I were talking to a young writer, I would recommend the cultivation of extreme indifference to both praise and blame because praise will lead you to vanity, and blame will l… ▶143Time
John BerrymanWe are using our own skins for wallpaper and we cannot win. ✨ John Berryman (2014). 77 Dream Songs: Poems, p.60, Macmillan158Time
John BerrymanOffering Dragons quarter is no good, they regrow all their parts and come on again. They have to be killed.1710Reading
John BerrymanPraise will lead you to vanity, and blame will lead you to self-pity, and both are bad for writers.159Philosophy
John BerrymanLiterature bores me, especially great literature ✨ John Berryman (2014). 77 Dream Songs: Poems, p.16, Macmillan1610Reading
