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John Berryman Quotes

Powerful John Berryman for Daily Growth

About John Berryman

John Berryman (1914-1972), an influential American poet, was born as John Allyn Smith Jr. in McAlester, Oklahoma. He spent his childhood moving between Oklahoma, Texas, and New York City due to his father's job transfers. This nomadic lifestyle, combined with a troubled relationship with his alcoholic father, significantly influenced Berryman's work, particularly in his masterpiece, "The Dream Songs." Berryman attended Cornell University, where he initially studied engineering before switching to literature. He later earned his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1940, writing his dissertation on the English metaphysical poets, a significant influence on his own work. Berryman taught at various institutions throughout his career, including Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Minnesota. Berryman's major works include "Homage to Mistress Bradstreet" (1956), a tribute to Anne Bradstreet, considered one of the first American poets; "77 Dream Songs" (1964), a collection that expanded into "The Dream Songs," a series of over 300 poems narrated by a character named Henry, exploring themes of love, loss, and identity; and "Recoveries: Last Poems" (1971), published posthumously. Berryman's poetry is known for its innovative use of language and form, blending humor, despair, and intense personal introspection. His work, particularly "The Dream Songs," brought him widespread acclaim, culminating in the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1965. Despite his creative genius, Berryman struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, which tragically led to his suicide at age 57. His legacy continues to inspire and captivate readers and poets alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Love alone: the only miracle."

This quote by John Berryman emphasizes that love, as an emotional force, is the most powerful and transformative phenomenon in human existence. It implies that love holds a unique ability to bring about change, healing, understanding, and connections where none seemed possible before. In essence, love is seen as the only miracle - a profound, enchanting, and extraordinary power capable of altering realities, mending hearts, and creating bonds beyond comprehension.

"Darling I want you, Darling I want you so."

This quote by John Berryman expresses an intense and passionate desire for a loved one, where "darling" serves as a term of endearment. The repetition emphasizes the speaker's deep longing for emotional connection and closeness with the person addressed, demonstrating affection and intimacy.

"So how it strikes us now, / Was just as if we'd known all along, / What time allows: to dawdle on our way, / To wherever is the end of day."

This quote by John Berryman highlights the sense of familiarity that we often feel upon reflection. The experiences we have, as described here, "was just as if we'd known all along," carry a sense of inevitability or predestined quality when viewed from a retrospective perspective. Time, with its ability to provide hindsight, allows us to understand and accept the path we've taken ("to dawdle on our way") and ultimately reach the end of our journey ("To wherever is the end of day"). It underscores the idea that life, in many ways, unfolds naturally over time, even if it seems unpredictable in the moment.

"In dreams begin responsibilities."

This quote by John Berryman suggests that the first steps towards fulfilling our duties and responsibilities often start in our subconscious mind, through dreams or imaginative thought. It implies that creative ideas, ambitions, and aspirations (born in dreams) are essential foundations for taking on real-world commitments and tasks. In essence, Berryman is saying that the power of imagination can provide us with the drive and purpose necessary to shoulder our responsibilities effectively.

"Heaven is where I am not."

This quote by John Berryman suggests a deep personal introspection, where he associates heaven with a state or place devoid of his current existence. In other words, for him, true peace or happiness lies in being away from his present circumstances, possibly implying dissatisfaction or a longing for something more meaningful or fulfilling. It may also indicate a philosophical view that personal growth and self-understanding can only be found beyond one's current state of being.

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.

- John Berryman

Business, Lucky, Which, Presented

Bats have no bankers and they do not drink and cannot be arrested and pay no tax and, in general, bats have it made.

- John Berryman

General, Bankers, Arrested, Bats

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

- John Berryman

Want, Like, Wanted, Yeats

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