When I first started teaching at Berkeley in 1958, I could not announce that I was gay to anybody, though probably quite a few of my fellow teachers knew. Thom Gunn announceberkeleyfellow Change image and share on social
When I first started to write, I was aware of being queer, but I didn't write about it. Queer poems would probably not have been accepted by the editors I sent them to. Thom Gunn acceptawareeditor Change image and share on social
I don't think of sex as a self-destructive impulse. Thom Gunn destructiveimpulsesex Change image and share on social
I try not to observe myself in the process of composing a poem because I don't want to come up with a formula, which I would then be unscrupulous in using. Thom Gunn composeformulaobserve Change image and share on social
I work best in rhyme and meter. I was most confident of myself in that way. Thom Gunn confidentmeterrhyme Change image and share on social
Deep feeling doesn't make for good poetry. A way with language would be a bit of help. Thom Gunn bitedeepfelt Change image and share on social
Ginsberg's Collected Poems contains a wonderful poem about making it with Neal Cassady. Thom Gunn cassadycollectginsberg Change image and share on social