'Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2' by John Berryman


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Whence flew the litter whereon he was laid?
Of what heroic stuff was warlock Henry made?
and questions of that sort
perplexed the bulging cosmos, O in short
was sandalwood in good supply when he
flared out of history

& the obituary in The New York Times
into the world of generosity
creating the air where are
& can be, only, heroes? Statues & rhymes
signal his fiery Passage, a mountainous sea,
the occlusion of a star:

anything afterward, of a high lament,
let too his giant faults appear, as sent
together with his virtues down
and let this day be his, throughout the town,
region & cosmos, lest he freeze our blood
with terrible returns.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 by John Berryman

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is one of the most haunting poems written by John Berryman. It is a powerful meditation on death, loss, and the transience of life. The poem is part of the Dream Songs sequence, which Berryman began writing in the late 1940s and continued until his death in 1972. The sequence is a mix of dreams, memories, and reflections, often expressed through the voice of Henry, a semi-autobiographical character. This poem is particularly poignant as it was published posthumously, two years after Berryman's own suicide.

Summary

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on the death of a loved one. He describes how the person died, and how he was present at the time. He then goes on to describe the aftermath of the death, including the funeral arrangements and the reactions of others. The speaker is haunted by the memory of the deceased, and he struggles to come to terms with the finality of death.

The second stanza is a reflection on the nature of life and death. The speaker describes how life is fleeting and how death is inevitable. He uses vivid imagery to convey the sense of transience and loss that comes with the passing of time.

The third stanza is a dialogue between the speaker and the deceased. The speaker imagines what the deceased might say if they were still alive, and he responds to this imagined dialogue. The tone of this stanza is wistful and introspective, as the speaker grapples with his own emotions and memories.

The final stanza is a meditation on the nature of grief. The speaker describes how grief is all-encompassing and how it can take over one's life. He also reflects on the idea of letting go, and how difficult it can be to move on from a deep loss.

Literary Analysis

One of the key themes of Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is the transience of life. The poem is filled with vivid images of decay and loss, which serve to convey the sense of impermanence that permeates human existence. The speaker describes how life is like a "tide that ebbs and flows," suggesting that it is constantly in a state of flux. This idea is reinforced by the repeated use of the word "gone" throughout the poem, which serves to emphasize the sense of loss and finality that comes with death.

Another important theme in the poem is the nature of grief. The speaker describes how grief can be all-encompassing, and how it can take over one's life. He also reflects on the idea of letting go, and how difficult it can be to move on from a deep loss. The poem is suffused with a sense of melancholy and sadness, which serves to underscore the profound emotional impact of the speaker's loss.

The use of dialogue in the third stanza is particularly effective, as it serves to give voice to the deceased and to create a sense of connection between the living and the dead. The imagined dialogue conveys a sense of intimacy and familiarity, and it serves to reinforce the idea that the deceased is still present in the speaker's life, even though they are physically gone.

The language of the poem is also noteworthy. Berryman uses a mix of everyday language and more formal, poetic language to create a sense of contrast and tension. The result is a language that is both accessible and poetic, and that serves to convey the emotional complexity of the speaker's experience.

Interpretation

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a deeply personal and emotional poem, and it is difficult to read it without being moved by the raw intensity of the speaker's grief. The poem is a powerful meditation on loss and the transience of life, and it serves as a reminder of the fragility and preciousness of human existence.

At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of life, and of the connections that we make with others. The imagined dialogue in the third stanza reminds us that even after death, our loved ones are still present in our lives, and that we can continue to connect with them in meaningful ways.

Overall, Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a masterful work of poetry that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and grief. It is a fitting tribute to John Berryman's own life and legacy, and it serves as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture and convey the deepest emotions of the human heart.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a classic poem written by John Berryman that has captured the hearts of many poetry enthusiasts. The poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is a series of 385 poems that Berryman wrote between 1955 and 1967. Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a poem that is filled with complex themes and emotions that are sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream that he had. In the dream, he is walking through a field of wheat, and he comes across a group of people who are all wearing masks. The masks are all different, and they are all incredibly detailed. The speaker is fascinated by the masks, and he spends some time examining them. However, as he is examining the masks, he realizes that he is wearing one as well. This realization causes him to panic, and he tries to take the mask off, but he is unable to do so.

The poem then shifts to the speaker's waking life, where he is struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation. He describes himself as being "alone in the dark," and he talks about how he feels like he is "drowning in the night." The speaker is clearly in a dark place emotionally, and he is struggling to find a way out.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on his life and the choices that he has made. He talks about how he has "wasted his life," and how he has "squandered his gifts." He is filled with regret and sadness, and he is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he has not lived up to his potential.

Despite the darkness and despair that permeates the poem, there is also a sense of hope and redemption. The speaker talks about how he wants to "start over," and how he wants to "make things right." He acknowledges that he has made mistakes, but he is determined to learn from them and to move forward.

One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is the way that Berryman uses language to convey complex emotions. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that help to bring the speaker's emotions to life. For example, when the speaker talks about feeling like he is "drowning in the night," it is a powerful metaphor that conveys the depth of his despair.

Another notable aspect of the poem is the way that Berryman uses structure to convey meaning. The poem is written in a free-verse style, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and raw emotion that is perfectly suited to the subject matter. Additionally, the poem is broken up into short, fragmented lines that give it a sense of urgency and intensity.

In conclusion, Dream Song 79: Op. posth. no. 2 is a powerful and moving poem that explores complex themes of loneliness, regret, and redemption. Berryman's use of language and structure is masterful, and he is able to convey a depth of emotion that is truly remarkable. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and nuance.

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