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.”

“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.”

“I didn't want to be like Yeats; I wanted to be Yeats.”

“These Songs are not meant to be understood, you understand. They are only meant to terrify & comfort.”

“We must travel in the direction of our fear.”

“I am so wise I had my mouth sewn shut.”