American poet, born 1914 in Oklahoma; committed suicide in Minneapolis 1972. Berryman is often categorized as a confessional poet, along with Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton, but his work does not fit easily into any mold. His best-known book, “The Dream Songs” (comprising two volumes: “77 Dream Songs” and “His Toy, His Dream, His Rest”) deals with a fictional character, Henry, who sometimes speaks directly, is sometimes spoken to, and other times merely described. Berryman’s work is complex, filled with black humor, obscure references, and garbled syntax. See Life, friends, is boring. We must not say so and The Dream Songs #4. A must-read for anyone who appreciates beautiful, heartbreaking poetry.
Also, in his later years, Berryman had one heck of a beard.