His Poems, His Dreams, The Rest: Shane McCrae on John Berryman

Join the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities, co-sponsored by the UTulsa Kendall College of Arts & Sciences and Nimrod International Journal, for a conversation with Shane McCrae, award-winning poet and memoirist, on the legacy of John Berryman (1914-1972).

A poet, critic and novelist, the McAlester, OK-born Berryman was one of the major literary figures of the mid-20th century, whose innovative 18-line “Dream Songs” proved to be as influential as they were controversial. McCrae, some of whose own poems bears traces of Berryman’s influence, has brought together a trove of previously uncollected “Dream Songs” in Only Sing (FSG, 2025). He will discuss and read from these poems, as well as from his own work, which includes New and Collected Hell: A Poem (FSG, 2025).

This event is open and free to the public. We hope to see you there!