'Governors On Sominex' by David Berman
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It had been four days of no weather
as if nature had conceded its genius to the indoors.
They'd closed down the Bureau of Sad Endings
and my wife sat on the couch and read the paper out loud.
The evening edition carried the magic death of a child
backlit by a construction site sunrise on its front page.
I kept my back to her and fingered the items on the mantle.
Souvenirs only reminded you of buying them.
* * *
The moon hung solid over the boarded-up Hobby Shop.
P.K. was in the precinct house, using his one phone call
to dedicate a song to Tammy, for she was the light
by which he traveled into this and that
And out in the city, out in the wide readership,
his younger brother was kicking an ice bucket
in the woods behind the Marriott,
his younger brother who was missing that part of the brain
that allows you to make out with your pillow.
Poor kid.
It was the light in things that made them last.
* * *
Tammy called her caseworker from a closed gas station
to relay ideas unaligned with the world we loved.
The tall grass bent in the wind like tachometer needles
and he told her to hang in there, slowly repeating
the number of the Job Info Line.
She hung up and glared at the Killbuck Sweet Shoppe.
The words that had been running through her head,
"employees must wash hands before returning to work,"
kept repeating and the sky looked dead.
* * *
Hedges formed the long limousine a Tampa sky could die behind.
A sailor stood on the wharf with a clipper ship
reflected on the skin of the bell pepper he held.
He'd had mouthwash at the inn and could still feel
the ice blue carbon pinwheels spinning in his mouth.
There were no new ways to understand the world,
only new days to set our understandings against.
Through the lanes came virgins in tennis shoes,
their hair shining like videotape,
singing us into a kind of sleep we hadn't tried yet.
Each page was a new chance to understand the last.
And somehow the sea was always there to make you feel stupid.
Submitted by sallack
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Governors On Sominex": A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a poem we have here! "Governors On Sominex," written by David Berman, is a masterpiece of modern poetry that deserves our utmost attention and analysis. With its intriguing title and quirky imagery, this poem invites us to explore the mysterious world of American politics and its sleep-deprived leaders. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and language of this poem to uncover its hidden messages and meanings. So, buckle up, dear readers, and join me on this exhilarating journey of literary discovery!
Background and Context
Before we start our analysis, let's first take a step back and look at the context in which this poem was written. David Berman, the author, was an American poet, cartoonist, and musician, known for his witty and surrealistic work. He was a member of the Silver Jews, a band that gained critical acclaim in the indie rock scene in the 1990s and 2000s. Berman's poetry often dealt with themes of loneliness, addiction, and existential angst, but he also had a keen eye for the absurdities of modern life and politics.
"Governors On Sominex" was first published in Berman's 2009 poetry collection, "Actual Air." The poem consists of four stanzas, each with six lines, and follows a loose rhyme scheme. The title, "Governors On Sominex," immediately catches our attention and raises some questions: Who are these governors? What is Sominex? Is this a political satire or a commentary on insomnia? Let's find out!
Analysis
Theme: Sleeplessness and Isolation
The most prominent theme in "Governors On Sominex" is sleeplessness, or the inability to sleep. This theme is introduced in the first stanza with the image of "the Governor sitting up in bed" at night, unable to find "the sleep switch." The word "governor" suggests that this is a high-ranking political figure, someone with power and responsibility. However, the fact that he cannot sleep makes him vulnerable and helpless. He is no longer in control of his own body and mind.
The second stanza expands on this theme by introducing the concept of isolation. The Governor is "alone in a room in America," cut off from the rest of the world. The use of the word "America" here is significant, as it suggests that this is not just any room, but a room that represents the entire country. The Governor is isolated not only from other people but from the nation he governs.
The third stanza adds another layer to the theme of isolation by mentioning the Governor's "wife asleep beside him." This image creates a sense of distance and detachment between the Governor and his wife. They are in the same bed, but they might as well be miles apart. The phrase "sighs and turns her back" suggests that the wife is also struggling with sleeplessness, but she chooses to ignore the Governor's plight.
The final stanza brings the theme of sleeplessness and isolation to a climax with the image of the Governor "howling out the window at the moon." This image is both comical and tragic. On the one hand, we can picture this high-ranking politician in his pajamas, shouting at the moon like a madman. On the other hand, we can sense his desperation and loneliness. The moon, a symbol of beauty and inspiration, is the only thing that responds to his cries.
Symbolism: Sominex and the Moon
Now that we have a better understanding of the poem's themes, let's turn to its symbols. The most obvious symbol in "Governors On Sominex" is Sominex, a brand of over-the-counter sleeping pills. The fact that the Governor cannot find "the sleep switch" suggests that he has already tried everything else to cure his insomnia. He has probably taken Sominex, but it hasn't worked. The use of a brand name in the poem also adds a touch of humor and irony. Sominex is supposed to be the solution to sleeplessness, but for the Governor, it is just another useless product.
The moon is another important symbol in the poem. It appears twice, first in the second stanza, where it is described as "hanging like a shirt on a peg." This simile creates an image of the moon as something ordinary and mundane, like a piece of clothing. The moon is no longer a symbol of the sublime or the mysterious, but just another object in the room.
In the final stanza, however, the moon takes on a different meaning. It becomes the only thing that can understand the Governor's plight. The moon is no longer a passive object but a witness to the Governor's suffering. By howling at the moon, the Governor is reaching out to something beyond himself, something that might offer him solace or consolation.
Language: Similes and Ironies
One of the most striking features of "Governors On Sominex" is its use of similes and ironies. The poem is full of unexpected comparisons and reversals that create a sense of disorientation and surprise. For example, in the first stanza, the Governor's inability to sleep is compared to a search for "the sleep switch," as if he is trying to turn off a machine. This comparison creates a sense of absurdity and humor, but it also highlights the Governor's loss of control over his own body.
Another example of simile and irony can be found in the second stanza, where the moon is compared to "a shirt on a peg." This comparison creates a sense of mundanity and familiarity, but it also suggests that the moon has lost its magic and mystery. The moon is no longer a source of wonder or inspiration, but just another object in the room.
The use of irony can also be seen in the poem's title, "Governors On Sominex." The title suggests that the governors are taking Sominex to help them sleep, but the poem reveals that this is not the case. The governors are actually unable to sleep, despite taking the pills. The title, therefore, creates a sense of contradiction and irony that prepares us for the poem's themes and symbols.
Form: Rhyme and Rhythm
Finally, let's take a look at the poem's form. "Governors On Sominex" follows a loose rhyme scheme, with each stanza consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is not strict, but it adds a sense of coherence and musicality to the poem. The rhythm of the poem is also worth noting. The lines are written in iambic meter, with each line consisting of ten syllables. This creates a sense of balance and regularity that contrasts with the poem's themes of sleeplessness and disorientation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Governors On Sominex" is a fascinating poem that explores the themes of sleeplessness and isolation through the use of symbols, similes, and ironies. The poem's title and imagery create a sense of absurdity and humor, but the underlying message is one of despair and loneliness. The Governor, a powerful figure in American politics, is reduced to a helpless and isolated individual, howling at the moon for comfort. David Berman's skillful use of language and form adds depth and complexity to this deceptively simple poem. "Governors On Sominex" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human condition in all its beauty and tragedy.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Governors On Sominex: A Poetic Masterpiece by David Berman
David Berman, the American poet, singer, and songwriter, is known for his unique style of writing that blends humor, irony, and melancholy. His poem "Governors On Sominex" is a classic example of his poetic genius. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem "Governors On Sominex" was first published in Berman's 1999 collection, "Actual Air." The title itself is intriguing, as it suggests a strange and surreal scenario. Sominex is a brand of sleeping pills, and the idea of governors taking them is absurd. This sets the tone for the poem, which is both humorous and unsettling.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The structure is simple, but the language is rich and complex. The first stanza sets the scene:
Governors on Sominex in their underwear screaming the state motto in the mirror of their private bathrooms across the country
The image of governors in their underwear is both comical and revealing. It suggests a vulnerability and a loss of dignity. The fact that they are on Sominex, a sleeping pill, adds to the surreal nature of the scene. The governors are not in control of their own minds, and they are reduced to screaming the state motto in front of a mirror. This is a powerful metaphor for the loss of identity and agency that can occur when people are sedated or oppressed.
The second stanza continues the theme of loss and confusion:
The governors are dreaming of a world without mirrors where they wear only the towel of their dignity and wield the saxophone like a lasso
The dream world that the governors inhabit is one without mirrors. This suggests a desire to escape from reality and from the self. The towel of dignity is a powerful image, as it suggests that the governors have lost their sense of self-respect. The saxophone, which is often associated with jazz and freedom, is wielded like a lasso. This suggests a desire to control and dominate, even in a dream world.
The third stanza brings the poem to a close:
The governors are waking up to a world without mirrors where the state motto is a song they can't remember and the saxophone is a coat hanger in the closet
The governors are waking up from their dream world, but they are still without mirrors. This suggests that they are still lost and confused, even in reality. The state motto, which they were screaming in the first stanza, is now a song they can't remember. This suggests a loss of purpose and direction. The saxophone, which was once a symbol of freedom, is now a coat hanger in the closet. This suggests a loss of creativity and passion.
The poem is full of literary devices that add to its depth and complexity. The use of metaphor, for example, is powerful. The governors are metaphorical figures who represent the loss of identity and agency that can occur when people are sedated or oppressed. The use of surreal imagery, such as governors in their underwear and wielding saxophones like lassos, adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem.
The poem also uses repetition to great effect. The state motto is repeated in the first and third stanzas, but in the third stanza, it is a song that the governors can't remember. This repetition suggests a loss of memory and purpose. The use of alliteration, such as "screaming the state motto" and "wield the saxophone," adds to the musical quality of the poem.
In conclusion, "Governors On Sominex" is a poetic masterpiece that explores themes of loss, confusion, and oppression. The surreal imagery, powerful metaphors, and use of literary devices make it a complex and thought-provoking work. David Berman's unique style of writing, which blends humor, irony, and melancholy, is on full display in this poem. It is a testament to his poetic genius and his ability to capture the human experience in all its complexity.
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