Long time Quote by John Berryman
““John Berryman: The Song of the Tortured Girl After a little I could not have told - But no one asked me this – why I was there. I asked. The ceiling of that place was high And there were sudden noises, which I made. I must have stayed there a long time today: My cup of soup was gone when they brought me back. Often ‘Nothing worse now can come to us’ I thought, the winter the young men stayed away, My uncle died, and mother broke her crutch. And then the strange room where the brightest light Does not shine on the strange men: shines on me. I feel them stretch my youth and throw a switch. Through leafless branches the sweet wind blows Making a mild sound, softer than a moan; High in a pass once where we put our tent, Minutes I lay awake to hear my joy. - I no longer remember what they want. - Minutes I lie awake to hear my joy.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Song of the Tortured Girl” by John Berryman, 1960s
A fragmented, surreal monologue expressing alienation, loss, and fleeting moments of joy amid hardship.
In simple terms: Feeling isolated yet briefly hopeful in a confusing world.
Key Takeaway
Notice small joys despite confusion.
Themes
alienation
loss
hope
memory
surrealism
Mood
melancholic
reflective
hopeful
Type
poetic
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- creative writing workshops
- mental health support groups
- nighttime reflection
Key Concepts
existentialism
stream of consciousness
symbolism
Questions to Reflect On
- What fleeting moments bring you comfort in confusion?
- How do you interpret the “brightest light” metaphor?
A Different Perspective
The cryptic style may obscure meaning for some readers.
