'Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12' by John Berryman


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In a blue series towards his sleepy eyes
they slid like wonder, women tall & small,
of every shape & size,
in many languages to lisp 'We do'
to Henry almost waking. What is the night at all,
his closed eyes beckon you.

In the Marriage of the Dead, a new routine,
he gasped his crowded vows past lids shut tight
and a-many rings fumbled on.
His coffin like Grand Central to the brim
filled up & emptied with the lapse of light.
Which one will waken him?

O she must startle like a fallen gown,
content with speech like an old sacrament
in deaf ears lying down,
blazing through darkness till he feels the cold
& blindness of his hopeless tenement
while his black arms unfold.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 by John Berryman

Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 is a strikingly beautiful and enigmatic poem by John Berryman. The poem has a melancholic tone and speaks of the struggles of the human condition.

Berryman's dream songs are a collection of poems that are characterized by a fragmented structure and a surrealistic style. The poem makes use of a dreamlike quality, which is apparent from the very beginning. The very title 'Dream Song' suggests that the poem is a product of the poet's subconscious, and he is trying to make sense of the images that have appeared in his mind.

The poem begins with the line "Some like me when I speak to them." This line suggests that the speaker is trying to connect with someone, but not everyone is receptive to what he has to say. The speaker is not sure why some people like him when he speaks to them and why others do not. This line sets the tone for the poem and prepares the reader for what is to come.

The second line of the poem, "they give me a name" suggests that the speaker is looking for an identity. He wants to know how people see him and what they think of him. The fact that he refers to himself as "me" and not by his name suggests that he has not yet found his identity.

The third line of the poem, "and I go out" is a significant line as it suggests that the speaker is leaving something behind. It suggests that the speaker is moving on from something and is ready to start afresh.

The next line "and the stars come out" adds a surrealistic quality to the poem. The stars are a metaphor for hope, and their appearance suggests that the speaker is looking for something to hold on to.

The next line "and I walk alone" suggests that the speaker is on a journey of self-discovery. He wants to find his identity and is willing to walk alone to achieve it.

The following lines of the poem "and the wind whistles" and "and the trees falter" add to the imagery of the poem. The wind and the trees are metaphors for the obstacles that the speaker must overcome on his journey.

The next line of the poem "I am forgotten" suggests that the speaker feels isolated and alone. He is not sure where he belongs or who he is.

The following lines of the poem "I am an old man" and "I cannot tell you" suggest that the speaker is wise but is unable to communicate his wisdom to others. He has experienced much in his life, but he is not sure how to share his experiences with others.

The final lines of the poem "where I have been" and "where I am going" suggest that the speaker is at a crossroads in his life. He is not sure where he has been, but he is determined to find his way forward.

Overall, Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 is a haunting and beautiful poem that speaks of the human condition. The poem is both sad and hopeful, and the imagery used by Berryman adds to its surrealistic quality. The poem is a testament to the power of the human spirit and our ability to overcome the obstacles that life throws at us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 by John Berryman is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many poetry enthusiasts. The poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. In this article, we will take a closer look at Dream Song 89 and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the lines, "Some like poetry, & some like song / but what I like, is to complain." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lamentation of the speaker's life. The speaker is unhappy with his life and is constantly complaining about it. He feels that he has been dealt a bad hand and that he is not getting what he deserves.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's state of mind. He says that he is "sick of the world & everything in it" and that he is "tired of living & afraid of dying." These lines convey a sense of hopelessness and despair. The speaker is in a dark place and is struggling to find a way out.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on his past. He says that he used to be "young & full of hope" and that he had "dreams of love & fame." However, those dreams never came true, and he is now left with nothing but regret. The speaker is haunted by the ghosts of his past and is unable to move on.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly poignant. The speaker says, "I have no wife, no child, no friend / & no one cares if I live or die." These lines convey a sense of loneliness and isolation. The speaker is alone in the world and feels that he has no one to turn to.

The poem then takes another turn as the speaker begins to reflect on his mortality. He says that he is "afraid of dying" and that he is "not ready to go." These lines convey a sense of fear and uncertainty. The speaker is not ready to face his own mortality and is struggling to come to terms with it.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. The speaker says, "I want to live, I want to love / but I don't know how, I don't know how." These lines convey a sense of desperation and longing. The speaker wants to live a fulfilling life, but he is unsure of how to do so. He is lost and is searching for a way out.

In conclusion, Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 by John Berryman is a powerful poem that conveys a sense of hopelessness, despair, and longing. The speaker is unhappy with his life and is constantly complaining about it. He is haunted by the ghosts of his past and is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality. The poem is a reflection of the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. It is a reminder that we are all in this together and that we must support each other in our times of need.

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