“Where did you come from, lamentable quality? Before I had a life you were about to ruin my life. The mystery of this stays with me. “Don’t brood about things,” my elders said. I hadn’t any other experience of enemies from inside. They were all from outside—big boys Who cursed me and hit me; motorists; falling trees. All these you were as bad as, yet inside. When I spoke, you were there. I could avoid you by singing or acting. I acted in school plays but was no good at singing. Immediately after the play you were there again. You ruined the cast party. You were not a sign of confidence. You were not a sign of manliness. You were stronger than good luck and bad; you survived them both. You were slowly edged out of my throat by psychoanalysis You who had been brought in, it seems, like a hired thug To beat up both sides and distract them From the main issue: oedipal love. You were horrible! Tell them, now that you’re back in your thug country, That you don’t have to be so rough next time you’re called in But can be milder and have the same effect—unhappiness and pain.”
Quote by Kenneth Koch
Author
Kenneth Koch, born on February 27, 1925, in New York, was a renowned American poet. His poetry style was unique, characterized by simplicity and wit, which was well-received by readers. Koch's poems covered a wide range of themes, including love, nature, and urban life, and his work was known for its humor and intelligence. more
You May Also Like
“Pain is never permanent punishment but to save the soul from eternal perishing.”
“Life, when she returned to it, was pain.”
“Până și durerea servea doar ca să îi aducă aminte că e vie și că sare un țel.”
“O durea fiecare bătaie a inimii, ca un cuțit care i-ar fi alunecat între coaste.”
“Asta însemna să pierzi pe cineva? Durerea nu a dispărut nicio clipă. A fost doar... acoperită.”
“Pleasure is impossible without penetration. There is no pleasure without penetrating pain.”