"Suddenly I realize That if I stepped out of my body I would break Into blossom."
About James Wright
James Wright — Life and Legacy
James Wright was a significant figure in American poetry, celebrated for his ability to articulate the complexities of human emotion, particularly loss and resilience. His work, especially the collection 'Above the River', showcases a deep understanding of suffering, often drawing from his own life experiences, including struggles with mental health and a sense of alienation. Wright's poetry is marked by a profound sensitivity to the human condition, as seen in lines like 'I was sitting in a bar in Minneapolis', where he captures the essence of memory and place intertwined with personal history. His exploration of loss is not merely an expression of sorrow; it is a pathway to resilience, revealing how vulnerability can lead to strength and insight. This duality is a hallmark of his work, challenging readers to confront their own experiences of pain and healing. Today, Wright's quotes and poems resonate with those grappling with their own struggles, offering a voice that is both empathetic and deeply reflective. His ability to transform personal suffering into universal themes ensures that his work remains impactful, inviting readers to find solace and understanding in their own journeys.
Quote collection
James Wright quotes
14 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Poetry can keep life itself alive. You can endure almost anything as long as you can sing about it."
"Practice good personal hygiene. Wash your hands before you eat. Be aware of good clean water and food sources."
"It goes without saying that a fine short poem can have the resonance and depth of an entire novel."
"In a pine tree,/ A few yards from my window sill,/ A brilliant blue jay is springing up and down, up and/ down./ On a branch./ I laugh, as I see him abandon himself/ To entire delight, for he knows as well as I do/ That the branch will not break."
"There is this cave In the air behind my body That nobody is going to touch: A cloister, a silence Closing around a blossom of fire. When I stand upright in the wind, My bones turn to dark emeralds."
"I close my eyes, and think of water."
"Most of the pollution in the water already is dead animal and plant matter and building debris, ... good stagnant nursery for mosquitoes."
"In life, you gotta do something. And the medical journals keep on saying if you've got a goal or some passion in life, you'll outlive all the other guys who - the bank manager that retired. They gave him a rocking chair and he rocked himself to death. So you gotta have a passion, whatever it happens to be. Whether it's this or something else, it doesn't matter, as long as it's a reason to get out of bed every morning, as my accountant of 50 years keeps on saying."
"Lying in a Hammock at William Duffy’s Farm in Pine Island, Minnesota"
"I write abundantly. And then my next step is to struggle to reduce the ornament, to reduce the abundance-to prune the book, in other words, the way one prunes a tree-so it can grow. This is my idea of a book."
"I asked the Mesquite coach who he thought the best team in Mesquite is. He said they were about even."
"They can buy whatever brand they want. We will supply the finance."
"Look: I am nothing. I do not even have ashes to rub into my eyes."