gershon hepner (5 3 38 / leipzig)

DEPRESSION, BREAKDOWNS, GRANDIOSE INSECURITY


Depressions, breakdowns, grandiose insecurity
are the price paid both by all lovers and all writers
attempting to break barriers of purity
by struggles usually accomplished in all-nighters.
Though there are great rewards for working through the night,
to be remaindered is the fate of every lover,
and every book of prose or poetry you write
will be de-pressed and bite, like dust, its cover.

Inspired by Cynthia Crossen’s article on Daphne du Maurier in the WSJ on August 2,2008 (“An Overlooked Literary Genius? Why ‘Rebecca’ author Daphne du Maurier deserves revisiting”) . She writes:

Ms. du Maurier probably wouldn’t appreciate being described as a Ms. She ued the name du Maurier professionally, but in real life she was Lady Daphne Browning, wife of a distinguished military officer who later worked for the royal family. She was born in 1907 into the artistic aristocracy of England: her grandfather George du Maurier, was a novelist and her father, Gerald, was a successful actor and theater manager. Daphne seems to have inherited some of the neuroses of her artistic ancestors-depression, breakdowns, grandiose insecurity-as well as their gifts.

© 2008 Gershon Hepner 8/5/08

love
Gershon