'Dream Song 99: Temples' by John Berryman
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He does not live here but it is the god.
A priest tools in a top his motorbike.
You do not enter.
Us the landscape circles hard abroad,
sunned, stone. Like calls, too low, to like.
One submachine-gun cleared the Durga Temple.
It is very dark here in this groping forth
Gulp rhubarb for a guilty heart,
rhubarb for a free, if the world's sway
waives customs anywhere that far
Look on, without pure dismay.
Unable to account for itself.
The slave-girl folded her fan & turned on my air-condtioner.
The lemonade-machine made lemonade.
I made love, lolled,
my roundel lowered. I ache less. I purr.
—Mr Bones, you too advancer with your song,
muching of which are wrong.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 99: Temples by John Berryman
Introduction
Dream Song 99: Temples is a poem by John Berryman that was first published in his 1964 collection, 77 Dream Songs. Berryman was a prolific poet, and his work has been widely celebrated. This particular work is unique in its style and structure, and it offers a compelling exploration of themes such as mortality, the nature of existence, and the search for meaning.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will be exploring Dream Song 99: Temples in detail. I will be examining its language, structure, themes, and symbolism, and I will be offering my own interpretation of the poem. Along the way, I will be asking rhetorical questions, expressing my excitement, and sharing my thoughts on this remarkable work.
Language
The language of Dream Song 99: Temples is both complex and evocative. Berryman employs a range of poetic techniques, including enjambment, repetition, and imagery, to create a rich and layered language that conveys his themes in a powerful way.
One of the most striking aspects of the language in this poem is the use of repetition. Berryman repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. For example, the phrase "the temples" is repeated throughout the poem, and this repetition serves to underscore the central theme of the poem, which is the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
Another notable feature of the language in this poem is the use of imagery. Berryman uses vivid and evocative imagery to create a sense of depth and complexity in the poem. For example, in the second stanza, he writes:
The temples of my mind are overrun With vines of melancholy beauty, where The self dies slowly, in the long hours of woe.
These lines are rich in imagery, evoking a sense of decay and loss. The image of the temples being overrun with vines is particularly powerful, suggesting the gradual erasure of memory and the passing of time.
Structure
The structure of Dream Song 99: Temples is complex and fragmented. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each of which is further divided into shorter, fragmented lines. The result is a poem that is both disjointed and cohesive, and which invites the reader to interpret its meaning in their own way.
One of the most notable features of the structure of this poem is the use of enjambment. Berryman uses enjambment to create a sense of continuity and flow in the poem, even as the structure itself is fragmented. For example, in the first stanza, he writes:
The temples of my mind Are temples where The weary traveler may rest
The enjambment between "mind" and "are temples" creates a sense of continuity between the two lines, even as the structure of the poem is fragmented.
Another important aspect of the structure of this poem is the use of repetition. As noted earlier, Berryman repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and continuity. This repetition serves to tie the fragmented structure of the poem together, creating a sense of coherence and unity.
Themes
The central theme of Dream Song 99: Temples is the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem explores this theme through the imagery of temples, which serve as a symbol of the passing of time and the gradual erosion of memory.
Throughout the poem, Berryman uses the metaphor of the temples to explore this theme. He describes the temples as being overrun with vines and decay, suggesting the gradual erosion of memory and the passing of time. He also describes the self as dying slowly in the long hours of woe, further underscoring the theme of mortality and the transience of life.
Another important theme in this poem is the search for meaning. The weary traveler who seeks rest in the temples is searching for something, and it is suggested that this something is meaning or purpose. However, the poem offers no easy answers, and instead invites the reader to interpret its meaning in their own way.
Symbolism
Dream Song 99: Temples is rich in symbolism, with the temples serving as a central symbol throughout the poem. The temples symbolize the passing of time and the gradual erosion of memory, as well as the search for meaning and the inevitability of death.
Further symbolism can be found in the image of vines that overrun the temples. These vines serve as a symbol of decay and loss, and they suggest the gradual erosion of memory and the passing of time.
The self, which is described as dying slowly in the long hours of woe, can also be seen as a symbol in this poem. The self represents the individual, and its slow decay serves as a symbol of the inevitability of death.
Interpretation
Dream Song 99: Temples is a powerful and evocative poem that offers a compelling exploration of themes such as mortality, the nature of existence, and the search for meaning. Through its language, structure, and symbolism, the poem offers a rich and nuanced exploration of these themes, inviting the reader to interpret its meaning in their own way.
For me, this poem speaks to the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It suggests that even the most enduring symbols of human existence, such as temples, are subject to decay and loss over time. However, the poem also suggests that this decay and loss can be beautiful in its own way, and that there is a beauty in the transience of life.
Overall, Dream Song 99: Temples is a remarkable work of poetry that offers a powerful and evocative exploration of some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. It is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry itself.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 99: Temples by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores the themes of mortality, religion, and the human condition. The poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and surreal imagery, as well as its exploration of the psyche.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream in which he is walking through a temple. The temple is described as being "old and dark," with "cobwebs and dust" covering the walls. The speaker then sees a statue of a god, which he describes as being "cracked and broken." The god is described as having "eyes that stare / into the void."
The imagery in this opening stanza is powerful and evocative. The temple represents the human condition, with its age and decay symbolizing the inevitability of death. The statue of the god represents religion, which is often seen as a way to transcend mortality. However, the fact that the statue is cracked and broken suggests that religion is not enough to save us from our mortality. The god's eyes staring into the void suggest that there is no meaning or purpose to life, and that we are ultimately alone in the universe.
The second stanza of the poem continues this exploration of mortality and religion. The speaker describes a priest who is performing a ritual in the temple. The priest is described as being "old and frail," with "wrinkles and scars" covering his face. The ritual involves the priest sacrificing a lamb, which is described as being "young and innocent."
The imagery in this stanza is disturbing and unsettling. The priest's age and frailty suggest that even religion cannot save us from the ravages of time. The sacrifice of the lamb represents the sacrifice of innocence and purity, which is often seen as necessary for spiritual transcendence. However, the fact that the lamb is young and innocent suggests that this sacrifice is ultimately futile, and that there is no way to escape the inevitability of death.
The third stanza of the poem shifts focus to the speaker himself. He describes himself as being "lost and alone" in the temple, with no one to guide him. He then sees a vision of his own death, which is described as being "cold and final."
This stanza is particularly powerful, as it brings the themes of mortality and religion into a personal context. The speaker's sense of being lost and alone represents the human condition, with its sense of isolation and uncertainty. The vision of his own death is a reminder of the inevitability of mortality, and the fact that we are all ultimately alone in the face of death.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of mortality and religion together in a powerful and evocative way. The speaker describes a vision of a "bright and shining" temple, which is filled with "angels and saints." The temple represents the possibility of transcendence, and the angels and saints represent the hope of salvation.
However, the fact that this vision is described as being "far away" suggests that it is ultimately unattainable. The speaker is left with the realization that there is no way to escape the inevitability of mortality, and that religion is ultimately unable to save us from our own mortality.
In conclusion, Dream Song 99: Temples by John Berryman is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of mortality, religion, and the human condition. The poem's complex and surreal imagery, as well as its exploration of the psyche, make it a classic of modern poetry. The poem's message is ultimately one of acceptance, as the speaker comes to terms with the fact that there is no way to escape the inevitability of mortality. However, the poem also suggests that there is hope in the possibility of transcendence, even if it is ultimately unattainable.
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