This is another handout I reconstructed. It was written by Shelly Kopp, author of Guru: Metaphors from a Psychotherapist. Retyping it made me realize that I should still have it on my wall. There are 43 things on the list. When Hahn discussed the list in class, there were nine things he had us star as particularly important. I'll give those now, and add a pdf of the entire list. 5. Nothing lasts! 17. There are no great men. 18. If you have a hero, look again; you have diminished yourself in some way. 19. Everyone lies, cheats, pretends (yes, you too, and most certainly I myself). 25. Childhood is a nightmare. 27. Each of us is ultimately alone. 36. You can run, but you can't hide. 38. We must learn the power of living with our helplessness. 43. Learn to forgive yourself, again and again and again and again. ![]()
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One of John's frequent handouts was a page of scattered quotes. Some had no attribution, which was his style. He assured the class that this page had the answer to any question we had about life. I suppose I agreed as I still have my original. My original isn't in the best condition; it has many holes where I pinned it to bulletin boards multiple times. I decided to form my own copy of it (good in case I lose mine). I have tried to repeat the way he angled the quotes on the page. ![]()
One of the few handouts he gave us. A poem entitled Listen, author unknown.
i no longer plead with heaven or go rummaging in books for answers to the questions life contains now i listen listen listen to this inner thing resounding in the pulsing and the pounding of my infant ancient veins. i no longer seek instruction from my father and mother i have mastered all their pleasures and their pain no i listen listen listen to this inner thing resounding in the pulsing and the pounding of my infant ancient veins the feeling in my bloodflow is a simple thing y'see everything and nothing in the parody is me i'm the hero i'm the villain the beginning and the end i'm creator i'm destroyer i'm the enemy the friend i'm an animal a spirit flying high and falling down i am special i'm important i am sacred i am a clown so i stumble through the chaos dragging clumsily behind me all the eggshells and the fish scales and the fur pelts of my past while this thing goes on inside me at one with all the vastness the fantasies and fictions and when all the contradictions come together come together they will fit the feeling in my bloodflow is a simple thing y'see i am it i am it we are everything and nothing but that's how to play the game in these weather beaten bodies with these god forsaken brains we can listen listen listen to the universe resounding in the pulsing and the pounding of our infant ancient veins listen listen listen and it all begins to fit you are it you are it |
John Hahn
Statement of Intention
This blog is about all I can remember about John Hahn, who taught creative writing at Rio Hondo. He died in 2006 and this is my way of remembering him. If anyone else remembers him, please comment or contact me. Archives
July 2015
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