and they didn’t so he died

Posted on October 25, 2006 by Tito

By way of Books, Inq, I see today is the late John Berryman’s birthday. Since Sgt. Schultz knows more about poets than I do, I admit not knowing about him until a Hold Steady show in San Diego last year. But better late than never, no?

the devil and john berryman took a walk together
they ended up on washington talking to the river
he said “I surrounded myself with doctors and deep thinkers
but big heads with soft bodies make for lousy lovers”.
there was that night that we thought that john berryman could fly.
but he didnt so he died.
she said “you’re pretty good with words but words won’t save your life”
and they didn’t so he died.

(from Stuck Between Stations)

UPDATED: His (Winter 1972*) Paris Review interview is available online.

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