Memories of John Berryman: His Thoughts on Achievement; Ordeal, Sports Talk and more

(Ed.note; John Berryman was an associate professor at the University of Minnesota. In 1974 he committed suicide by jumping off the bridge at the Mississippi. His most famous work was " 77 Dream Songs."

One of the amazing classes that I had the chance to take as a student was a course by John Berryman, who was a well known poet, and assistant professor at the University of Minnesota.

He was already famous. And larger than life. Though he appeared to be just a fairly old guy with a somewhat white beard that lectured in dishevled suits---what he said---even if it was a little slurred at times---probably from a hard night on the town----was worth straining to hear.

In summary, it was a little like listening to "Sports Talk"-------- but about poetry and yes novels. He would talk about a poem, and the author, and then talk about the time he last saw the author, and in fact he knew some details about what the poem was talking about with respect to the authors life.

If you click on the post, there is an interview with John Berryman that captures his style, in an interview, and yes in answering questions from students.