'Dream Song 20: The Secret of the Wisdom' by John Berryman
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When worst got things, how was you? Steady on?
Wheedling, or shockt her &
you have been bad to your friend,
whom not you writing to. You have not listened.
A pelican of lies
you loosed: where are you?
Down weeks of evenings of longing
by hours, NOW, a stoned bell,
you did somebody: others you hurt short:
anyone ever did you do good?
You licking your own old hurt,
what?
An evil kneel & adore.
This is human. Hurl, God who found
us in this, down
something . . . We hear the more
sin has increast, the more
grace has been caused to abound.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 20: The Secret of the Wisdom by John Berryman
John Berryman's "Dream Song 20: The Secret of the Wisdom" is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of identity, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. It is part of Berryman's collection of 77 poems called "The Dream Songs" and was published in 1964.
The poem is narrated by the character Henry, who is a persona for the poet himself. Henry is a troubled and fragmented character who is constantly grappling with his own identity and the meaning of life. In this poem, he is in conversation with his friend, Mr. Bones, who is also a persona for death. The poem is structured in a series of thirteen stanzas, each containing three lines. The lines are written in a loose, free-verse style, with no regular rhyme or meter.
The Search for Wisdom
The poem begins with Henry asking Mr. Bones about the secret of wisdom. He is searching for a deeper understanding of life, and he looks to Mr. Bones, who represents death and the afterlife, for answers. Henry speaks in a fragmented, stream-of-consciousness style, and his words are often disjointed and difficult to follow.
He asks Mr. Bones, "What is the wisdom?" and "Where is the wisdom?" but Mr. Bones does not answer directly. Instead, he tells Henry to look within himself for the answers. He says, "Wisdom is not a station / you arrive at. Wisdom is the journey." This suggests that wisdom cannot be found in any external source but must be found through a process of self-discovery and self-awareness.
The Nature of Identity
The theme of identity is central to the poem, and Henry's fragmented and disjointed speech reflects his own struggle with his identity. He says, "I am a man of fortune / and must seek my fortune" but then contradicts himself by saying, "I am not a man of fortune / I am a man of parts."
This ambiguity and contradiction highlight Henry's sense of confusion and uncertainty regarding his own identity. He is unsure of who he is or what his place in the world is. He feels like he is composed of different parts or identities that do not necessarily fit together.
The Fear of Mortality
The theme of mortality is also present in the poem, as Mr. Bones represents death and the afterlife. Henry is afraid of death and what lies beyond it. He says, "I am afraid of you, Mr. Bones" and "I am afraid of my own soul." This fear is a natural human response to the unknown, and Henry's fear is compounded by his uncertainty about his own identity and the meaning of life.
Mr. Bones tells Henry that he should not be afraid of death because it is a natural part of life. He says, "Death is the mother of beauty" and "Death is the lover's gift." This suggests that death is not something to be feared but should be embraced as a natural part of the cycle of life.
The Search for Meaning
Ultimately, the poem is about the search for meaning in life. Henry is searching for a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him. He wants to know the secret of the wisdom, but he realizes that this knowledge cannot be found through external sources. Instead, he must look within himself for the answers.
The poem is also a meditation on the nature of human existence. It explores the themes of identity, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. It is a deeply personal and introspective work that invites the reader to reflect on their own lives and the meaning of their own existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's "Dream Song 20: The Secret of the Wisdom" is a complex and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of identity, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. It is narrated by the character Henry, who is a persona for the poet himself, and is in conversation with his friend, Mr. Bones, who represents death and the afterlife.
The poem is structured in a series of thirteen stanzas, each containing three lines. The lines are written in a loose, free-verse style, with no regular rhyme or meter. This style reflects Henry's own fragmented and disjointed speech and his struggle with his own identity and the meaning of life.
Overall, the poem is a deeply personal and introspective work that invites the reader to reflect on their own lives and the meaning of their own existence. It is a powerful reminder that the search for wisdom and meaning is a journey that must be undertaken by each individual, and that the answers can only be found within ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 20: The Secret of the Wisdom by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been analyzed and discussed by literary scholars for decades. This poem is part of a larger collection of poems called The Dream Songs, which were written by Berryman in the 1960s. The Dream Songs are known for their complex and often confusing structure, as well as their exploration of themes such as love, loss, and identity. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at Dream Song 20 and explore the meaning behind its cryptic verses.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a woman named Mrs. Pappadopoulous, who is described as a "wise old Greek." The speaker asks Mrs. Pappadopoulous to reveal the secret of wisdom, which he believes she possesses. The speaker is searching for answers and guidance, and he believes that Mrs. Pappadopoulous can provide him with the knowledge he seeks.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a character named Henry, who is a recurring figure in The Dream Songs. Henry is described as a "tough old man," and the speaker notes that Henry has "been around." The speaker seems to admire Henry's toughness and experience, and he suggests that Henry may also possess some wisdom.
The third stanza of the poem is where things start to get a bit more confusing. The speaker begins to describe a dream he had, in which he was "in a boat on a river." The river is described as "black," and the boat is "small." The speaker is alone in the boat, and he is "rowing hard." The dream seems to be a metaphor for the speaker's journey through life, and the difficulties he faces along the way.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes a "great black bird" that appears in his dream. The bird is described as "huge" and "terrible," and it seems to represent the speaker's fears and anxieties. The bird is a symbol of the obstacles that the speaker must overcome in order to find wisdom.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most cryptic. The speaker describes a "great white bird" that appears in his dream. This bird is described as "beautiful" and "majestic," and it seems to represent the speaker's hopes and aspirations. The white bird is a symbol of the wisdom that the speaker is searching for.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together. The speaker realizes that the secret of wisdom is not something that can be easily obtained. It is something that must be earned through hard work and perseverance. The speaker notes that "the black bird whirled in the autumn winds," suggesting that his fears and anxieties are still present. However, he also notes that "the white bird sang not of the past, nor of the future, but of the pure present." This suggests that the wisdom the speaker seeks is not about dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, but about living in the present moment.
So, what does Dream Song 20 mean? At its core, this poem is about the search for wisdom and the difficulties that come with that search. The speaker is looking for answers, but he realizes that wisdom is not something that can be easily obtained. It requires hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to confront one's fears and anxieties. The black bird and the white bird are symbols of these fears and aspirations, and the speaker must learn to navigate both in order to find the wisdom he seeks.
Overall, Dream Song 20 is a complex and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. It is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet that he is able to convey such deep and complex ideas in such a short and cryptic poem. If you are interested in exploring the themes of love, loss, and identity, or if you simply enjoy reading poetry that challenges your assumptions and makes you think, then Dream Song 20 is definitely worth a closer look.
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