I really believe He’s here all over this room
in a motor hotel in Wallace Stevens’ town.
I admit it’s weird; and could–or could it?–not be so;
but frankly I don’t think there’s a molecular chance of that.
It doesn’t seem hypothesis. Thank heavens
millions agree with me, or mostly do,
and have done ages of our human time,
among whom were & still are some very sharp cookies.
I don’t exactly feel missionary about it,
though it’s very true I wonder if I should.
I regard the boys who don’t buy this as deluded.
Of course they regard me no doubt as deluded.
Okay with me! And not the hell with them
at all–no!–I feel dubious on Hell–
it’s here, all right, but elsewhere, after? Screw that,
I feel pretty sure that evil simply ends
for the doer (having wiped him out,
but the way, usually) where good does on,
or good may drop dead too: I don’t think so:
I can’t say I have hopes in that department
myself, I lack ambition just just there,
I know that Presence says it’s mild, and it’s mild,
but being what I am I wouldn’t care
to dare go nearer. Happy to be here
and to have been here, with such lovely ones
so infinitely better, but to me
even in their suffering infinitely kind
& blessing. I am a greedy man, of course,
but I wouldn’t want that kind of luck continued,–
or even increased (for Christ’s sake), & forever?
Let me be clear about this. It is plain to me
Christ underwent man & treachery & socks
& lashes, thirst, exhaustion, the bit, for my pathetic & disgusting vices,
to make this filthy fact of paticular, long-after,
faraway, five-foot-ten & moribund
human being happy. Well, he has!
I am so happy I could scream!
It’s enough! I can’t BEAR ANY MORE.
Let this be it. I’ve had it. I can’t wait.
COMMENTS
5 responses to “The Facts & Issues – John Berryman”
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Love the poem. I wish you had said you written it.
What's the story with this guy? He committed suicide in the 70s? A father who also committed suicide?
d-
john berryman is a fascinating guy, and to be honest everything i know i learned from:
1. the hold steady video i just embedded in the post.
2. his unfinished (on a number of levels) novel "Recovery".
DZ
Love that the drummer is wearing a Rush t-shirt. One of my all time fave bands.
Lol this one of the giants of the confessional school of Poetry and all you can think to talk about is The Hold Steady and the drummer’s T-shirt. Amazing. Also, to Drake- the story with this guy is he was brilliant, won the Pulitzer. Look up what Levine had to say about him in 2009. Educate yourselves. You’ll like the results.