I know that I have sometimes presumed too much upon
corresponding sympathies and interest in those to whom I talk
boldly, and this has led to rejections that were painful and costly
enough to inspire more prudence. But when I weigh one thing
against another, an easy liking against a hard respect, the
balance always tips the same way, and whatever the risk of being
turned a cold shoulder, I still don't want to talk to people only
about the surface aspects of their lives, the sort of things that
acquaintances laugh and chatter about on ordinary social
occasions. I feel that they get plenty of that, and heaven knows
so do I, before and after the little interval of time in which I have
their attention and say what I have to say to them. I want to go on
talking to you as freely and intimately about what we live and die
for as if I knew you better than anyone else whom you know.
corresponding sympathies and interest in those to whom I talk
boldly, and this has led to rejections that were painful and costly
enough to inspire more prudence. But when I weigh one thing
against another, an easy liking against a hard respect, the
balance always tips the same way, and whatever the risk of being
turned a cold shoulder, I still don't want to talk to people only
about the surface aspects of their lives, the sort of things that
acquaintances laugh and chatter about on ordinary social
occasions. I feel that they get plenty of that, and heaven knows
so do I, before and after the little interval of time in which I have
their attention and say what I have to say to them. I want to go on
talking to you as freely and intimately about what we live and die
for as if I knew you better than anyone else whom you know.
[for more on each
artist, click on photo]
artist, click on photo]
Irving Penn
Tennessee Williams
New York, 1951
© Irving Penn
Williams Died from Choking After
a Heavy Night of Drinking at the Age of 72
Tennessee Williams
New York, 1951
© Irving Penn
Williams Died from Choking After
a Heavy Night of Drinking at the Age of 72