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Quote by Gerald Stern

“I've spent hundreds of hours working over words, and part of me, a large part of me, has a desire to do something else.”

Quote by Gerald Stern

Author

Gerald Stern is an American poet born on February 22, 1925. His poetry is known for its unique style and profound insights into life. more

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“I've been active in a minor way compared to professional activists. I was a labor leader. I led two labor strikes. I've manipulated boards. I've led marches. I've done many things.”

Way Two Done Leader Labor Active Strikes Boards March Activist Minors

Author:Gerald Stern

“I've been trying to come to terms with what I am and what I do and what I believe in. And I see that I'm not happy with - well, it's almost as if being a poet is not enough for me. It's too late for me to do more now. I did what I could in a small way. I did it as theater, too, to be honest.”

Ifs Way Trying Believe Wells Enough I Believe Term Honest Poet Late Theater I Believe In Being Honest Too Late Not Happy

Author:Gerald Stern

“I've changed over my writing life. If I can generalize, I would say that the more recent poems - believe it or not - are more pointedly political; although, if the earlier poems were more existential, they were still political; though, in their own way, had a complicated presence.”

Ifs Way Writing Believe Stills I Can Political Changed Complicated Existential Writing Life I've Changed

Author:Gerald Stern

“I feel that my job, as an artist, is to disturb the peace. And to disturb it intellectually, linguistically, politically and literally.”

Feels Jobs Artist

Author:Gerald Stern

“It's just that very few poets disturb the peace to any degree.”

Author:Gerald Stern

“I floundered in my twenties. Though I wore a long scarf. And when I got to be thirty I got a job at Temple University in Philadelphia. I worked there for seven years, and I finally got fired, mostly for political reasons.”

Years Long Reason Jobs Political Twenties Seven University Thirty Temples Seven Years Philadelphia Scarves

Author:Gerald Stern

“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.”

Way Writing Seems Next Issues Institutions Servant Invited Outrageous Picnics Tenure Getting Laid

Author:Gerald Stern

“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.”

Believe Gone Generations Behavior Blessed Repeats Shocked Ruined

Author:Gerald Stern

“Teaching poetry, teaching as such, is worthy - if back breaking.”

Ifs Teaching Worthy

Author:Gerald Stern

“Some poems are art because of their passion.”

Art Passion Art Is

Author:Gerald Stern