It's a kind of liberation to break free in language, if you can break free, but it's also a confinement, because form confines you - whatever the form. Gerald Stern More Quotes by Gerald Stern More Quotes From Gerald Stern If you don't have a bed, or a dresser or a wall, or a book or a toy you are oppressed. An African American in a white world. A Jew in a Christian world. A gypsy. A Native American. A Chinese American. Let's say, you were born deprived. Gerald Stern wallchristianbook I have left out what I don't remember or don't know. Temperament, fear, shyness, obedience, kindness. Gerald Stern shynesskindnessremember The cave is a dark, shadowy place. It's a place that's very close and yet distant at the same time, and it's a place of revelation and isolation. Your form, your body, your writing is your confinement. Gerald Stern cavesdarkwriting Men aren't called pricks, but women are called cunts. Gerald Stern men Attachment has to do with suffering, so it's really close to Buddhism, because Buddhism wants to relieve you from suffering; you're supposed to escape from suffering. Gerald Stern buddhismattachmentsuffering For the Christian mystics, detachment meant to leave attachment so that God could enter you and take over completely and you could climb the ladder to their heaven. Kind of crazy, but what the hell? Gerald Stern crazyattachmentchristian If the Buddhist's job is to be detached, I think that the artist's job is to be both detached and attached. Gerald Stern buddhistartistjobs Maybe being an artist is a kind of detachment. You're in the cave, you're isolated, you're apart from everything and it's there you can find out what you believe in, or what is - what is the nature of being, as you see it. Gerald Stern cavesartistbelieve I was ruined before I got started. I say ruined, but I could say blessed; I was too far gone to believe in it. And I'm shocked how generation after generation repeats the behavior. Gerald Stern generationsblessedbelieve Teaching poetry, teaching as such, is worthy - if back breaking. Gerald Stern worthyteachingifs Some poems are art because of their passion. Gerald Stern art-ispassionart The act of writing itself isn't outrageous. And the institution subtly and insidiously works on you in such a way that though you seem to have freedom you become a servant. Your main issue is to get promoted to the next thing. Or get invited to a picnic. Or get tenure. Or get laid. Gerald Stern picnicsissueswriting
