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Quote by James Dickey

“Find out what you do best, and then don't do it.”

Author

James Dickey was an influential American poet known for his unique style and profound depiction of Southern American culture. His works often blended elements of poetry, fiction, and drama, leaving a lasting impact on subsequent poets. more

Book:Dr. Cotton Mather's Student and Preacher, Intituled, Manuductio Ad Ministerium, Or, Directions for a Candidate of the Ministry: Wherein, I. a Right Foundation is Laid for His Future Improvement, II. Rules are Offered for Such a Management of His Academical and Preparatory Studies, And, Upon That, for Such, III. a Conduct After His Appearance in the World, as May Render Him a Skilful and Useful Minister of the Gospel

Source: Dr. Cotton Mather's Student and Preacher, Intituled, Manuductio Ad Ministerium, Or, Directions for a Candidate of the Ministry: Wherein, I. a Right Foundation is Laid for His Future Improvement, II. Rules are Offered for Such a Management of His Academical and Preparatory Studies, And, Upon That, for Such, III. a Conduct After His Appearance in the World, as May Render Him a Skilful and Useful Minister of the Gospel

“There are rituals not structures for being a poet, drinking too much, taking too many drugs, being a lady chaser, having your nervous breakdown, being irresponsible about money.”

Too Much Poet Drug Structure Drinking Nervous Ritual Irresponsible Breakdown Nervous Breakdown Drinking Too Much Chasers Being A Lady

Book:Emerald Ice: Selected Poems, 1962-1987

Source: Emerald Ice: Selected Poems, 1962-1987

“Most poetry is the utterance of a man in some state of passion, love, joy, grief, rage, etc., and no doubt this is as it should be. But no man is perpetually in a passion and those states in which he is amused and amusing, detached and irreverent, if less important, are no less amusing. If there were no poets who, like Byron, express these states, Poetry would lack something.”