'Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12' by John Berryman
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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968In 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, also known as Op. posth. no. 12, is a complex and haunting poem by the American poet and scholar, John Berryman. First published in 1964, the poem is part of the larger collection of Dream Songs, a sequence of 385 poems that Berryman wrote between 1955 and 1967. The Dream Songs are known for their confessional style, surreal imagery, and intense exploration of the psyche. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, and language of Dream Song 89 and offer my own reading of this powerful and enigmatic poem.
Themes
Dream Song 89 is a poem that deals with themes of mortality, memory, and loss. The speaker of the poem is a man who is facing his own death and reflecting on his past. He is haunted by memories of his childhood, his failed relationships, and his own mortality. The poem is full of images of decay, darkness, and despair, but there is also a sense of humor and irony that underlies the speaker's musings. The poem is a meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death, and it explores the complex emotions that arise as we confront our own mortality.
Structure
Dream Song 89 is a sonnet, but it is not a traditional sonnet in the sense that it does not follow the strict rhyme and meter of the form. Instead, Berryman uses a loose iambic pentameter and a rhyme scheme that is more free-form, with rhymed couplets and occasional internal rhyme. The poem consists of 14 lines, divided into two stanzas of seven lines each. The first stanza is a reflection on the speaker's past, while the second stanza is a more abstract and philosophical meditation on death and the meaning of life.
Language
The language of Dream Song 89 is rich and complex, with a mix of colloquial and archaic words, as well as neologisms and invented words. The poem is full of puns, allusions, and wordplay, and it demands close attention from the reader. The language is also highly musical, with a rhythm and sound that is both haunting and beautiful. Berryman uses repetition and variation to create a sense of movement and progression in the poem, and he employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphor, simile, and personification, to convey his ideas and emotions.
Interpretation
Dream Song 89 is a challenging poem to interpret, and there are many possible readings of its meaning and significance. One way to approach the poem is to focus on the speaker's sense of loss and despair. The poem is full of images of decay and darkness, and the speaker seems to be mourning the passing of his own life and the people and things that have been important to him. The line "The past is a bucket of ashes" (line 2) suggests that the speaker sees his life as a series of failed memories, and he is struggling to make sense of the meaning of his existence.
Another way to interpret the poem is to focus on its themes of memory and the passage of time. The speaker is haunted by memories of his childhood and his failed relationships, and he is struggling to come to terms with his own mortality. The line "I cannot sing I am not timeless" (line 9) suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality and the fleeting nature of his existence. He is trying to hold on to his memories and his sense of self, but he knows that they are slipping away from him.
Finally, one can interpret the poem as a meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death. The speaker is wrestling with the big questions of existence, and he is struggling to find meaning and purpose in his life. The line "I must die as I always was" (line 13) suggests that the speaker is resigned to his own mortality, but he is also struggling to come to terms with the fact that his life has not been what he hoped it would be. The poem is a powerful reflection on the human condition, and it offers a poignant and haunting meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
Dream Song 89 is a complex and haunting poem that explores themes of mortality, memory, and loss. Its language is rich and musical, and its structure is both traditional and experimental. The poem is a meditation on the meaning of life and the inevitability of death, and it offers a poignant and haunting reflection on the human condition. Berryman's Dream Songs are an important contribution to American poetry, and Dream Song 89 is a powerful example of his unique and powerful voice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman’s Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. Dream Song 89 is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of love, loss, and mortality. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem’s structure, language, and themes to gain a deeper understanding of this masterpiece.
Structure
Dream Song 89 is a poem that is composed of three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABCC. The first two lines of each stanza rhyme with each other, while the third and fourth lines rhyme with each other. The final two lines of each stanza rhyme with each other. This strict rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality and adds to its overall beauty.
The poem’s structure is also notable for its use of repetition. The first line of each stanza begins with the phrase “Tell me,” which creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. The repetition of this phrase also emphasizes the speaker’s desire for answers and understanding. Additionally, the poem’s title, Op. posth. no. 12, suggests that this is the twelfth poem in a posthumous collection. This adds a layer of complexity to the poem, as it raises questions about the speaker’s identity and the context in which the poem was written.
Language
Berryman’s use of language in Dream Song 89 is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that create a sense of melancholy and longing. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker asks, “Tell me how to love a ghost / and if that isn’t possible / tell me how to be a ghost.” This metaphorical language creates a sense of otherworldliness and adds to the poem’s overall dreamlike quality.
The poem’s language is also notable for its use of repetition and alliteration. The repetition of the phrase “Tell me” creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the speaker’s desire for answers. The alliteration in lines such as “the dead, the gone” and “the lost, the past” adds to the poem’s musical quality and creates a sense of rhythm.
Themes
Dream Song 89 explores themes of love, loss, and mortality. The speaker is grappling with the loss of a loved one and is searching for answers about how to cope with this loss. The metaphor of the ghost is used to represent the speaker’s loved one, who is no longer present in their life. The speaker is struggling to come to terms with the fact that their loved one is gone and is searching for a way to hold onto their memory.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality. The speaker is aware of their own mortality and is searching for answers about what happens after death. The repetition of the phrase “Tell me” emphasizes the speaker’s desire for answers and understanding. The poem suggests that death is a mystery that cannot be fully understood, and that we must learn to live with this uncertainty.
Conclusion
Dream Song 89: Op. posth. no. 12 is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Berryman’s use of structure, language, and themes creates a haunting and beautiful poem that explores the complexities of love, loss, and mortality. The poem’s strict rhyme scheme and use of repetition create a sense of musicality that adds to its overall beauty. The metaphorical language and vivid imagery create a sense of otherworldliness that adds to the poem’s dreamlike quality. Dream Song 89 is a poem that will continue to captivate readers for generations to come.
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