American poet, essayist & lyricist (1947-2018)
Praise at least as often as you disparage.
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
Principles of Adult Behavior
A man and a woman come together as strangers
When they part they're usually strangers still
It's like a practical joke played on us by our Maker
Empty bottles that can't be filled
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
"Blow Away"
You've all been asleep, you would not believe me
Them voices telling me, you will soon receive me
Standing on the beach, the sea will part before me
(Fire wheel burning in the air!)
You will follow me and we will ride to glory
(Way up the middle of the air!)
And I'll call down thunder and speak the same
And my work fills the sky with flame
And might and glory going to be my name
And men going to light my way
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
"Estimated Prophet"
Your case against me is so very clearly stated
I plead no contest, I just turn and shrug
I've come to figure all importance overestimated
You must mean water when you beg for blood
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
"Blow Away"
Try not to forget that, no matter how certain, you might be wrong.
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
Principles of Adult Behavior
I was dead for eight minutes, and much to my dismay there were no ascending rivers of light or descending angelic hosts including everybody I'd ever loved or any of those things. That wasn't happening. In fact all that was happening was just stone black darkness. I told Weir about it and he said, "well you just weren't dead enough." Always this criticism.
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
"Keeping Up with John Perry Barlow", Tip Jar Mag, April 14, 2016
I don't know that I believe in the supernatural, but I do believe in miracles, and our time together was filled with the events of magical unlikelihood.
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
The Death of Cynthia Horner
Now what's to be found by racing around
You carry your pain wherever you go
Full of blues, and trying to lose
You ain't gonna learn what you don't wanna know
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
"Black-Throated Wind"
Never assume the motives of others are, to them, less noble than yours are to you.
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
Principles of Adult Behavior
We are creating a world where anyone, anywhere may express his or her beliefs, no matter how singular, without fear of being coerced into silence or conformity. Your legal concepts of property, expression, identity, movement, and context do not apply to us. They are all based on matter, and there is no matter here.
JOHN PERRY BARLOW
A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace