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Catherine Gonick's avatar

Untreated depression is a tragedy. So is dying of TB. Having poetry as one's only outlet can be necessary but adds another level of danger. Destroying poems -- I'm not sure what that means.

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Sean Singer's avatar

Yes his life was on the edge of danger, going as far as possible

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Josette Akresh-Gonzales's avatar

It’s interesting...so many people tell young poets to stop writing self-pity poems. Certainly everyone told ME that. Then here you have a guy who created such impressive work and mentored by Frost no less, who encouraged his melancholic introspection. It’s just fascinating to me how much great poets can be examples of the opposite of the usual advice poets get.

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Sean Singer's avatar

That's a good insight

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Catherine Gonick's avatar

"Self-pity is the beginning of compassion." Miguel de Unamuno.

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