“I have to stop hitting people” —Delmore Schwartz, letter to a friend
If you are a poet, have sex with her.
If your friend has had sex with her, do not have sex with her.
If your enemy has had sex with her, definitely have sex with her.
If a useful literary connection laughs at you, frown.
The connections made in the suburbs are better than those made in town.
Find out what your connections think of each other.
Never confuse a mentor with a bargain or a brother.
Take copious notes of every scene you inhabit.
Read more than what other people are reading.
Measure your mentor so you might surpass
The philosophical measure of your own ass.
Determine the ruling animus of the group
In which you indifferently place your hope.
Mix your beliefs. Politics, religion and art:
A giant shit. Or a little fart.
Remember, nothing is true, but in how it’s juxtaposed.
Don’t flap your arms. Or pick your nose.