Quote You should always be trying to write a poem you...

“You should always be trying to write a poem you are unable to write, a poem you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve. Otherwise you're merely imitating yourself, going nowhere, because that's always easiest.” - John Berryman

Decryption of quote

Quote: "You should always be trying to write a poem you are unable to write, a poem you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve. Otherwise you're merely imitating yourself, going nowhere, because that's always easiest."

Imagine yourself as a poet, standing at the edge of your comfort zone, looking out into the vast unknown of your creativity. This quote urges you to push past your boundaries, to strive for something beyond your current capabilities. It challenges you to reach for a poem that seems out of reach, a poem that requires more skill, more depth, more vulnerability than you have ever dared to show.

When you write a poem that you are unable to write, you are tapping into a well of untapped potential within yourself. You are pushing yourself to grow, to evolve as a writer and as a person. It may be daunting, it may be difficult, but the rewards are immeasurable. The satisfaction of creating something truly unique, truly powerful, is worth every moment of struggle.

By attempting to write a poem that you lack the technique, the language, the courage to achieve, you are breaking free from the constraints of your own limitations. You are refusing to settle for mediocrity, for complacency. You are daring to dream bigger, to reach higher, to soar beyond the confines of what you thought was possible.

On the other hand, if you continue to imitate yourself, to stay within the safe confines of what you already know, you are stagnating. You are denying yourself the opportunity to explore new horizons, to discover new depths within yourself. You are choosing the path of least resistance, the path that leads to nowhere.

Writing a poem that challenges you, that pushes you beyond your comfort zone, is a courageous act. It requires you to confront your fears, to embrace vulnerability, to take risks. But it is through these challenges that you will truly grow as a writer, as an artist, as a human being.

So, the next time you sit down to write a poem, remember this quote. Remember to strive for something beyond your current abilities, to reach for a poem that seems impossible. Remember that the greatest rewards come from taking the road less traveled, from daring to be bold, from refusing to settle for anything less than your best.




poetry writing

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