'Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Shh! on a twine hung from disastered trees
Henry is swinging his daughter. They seem drunk.
Over across them look out,
tranquil, the high statues of the wise.
Her feet peep, like a lady's in sleep sunk.
That which this scene's about-he pushes violent, his calves distend,
his mouth is open with effort, so is hers,
in the Supreme Court garden,
the justices lean, negro, out, the trees bend,
man's try began too long ago, with chirrs
& leapings, begging pardon-I will deny the gods of the garden say.
Henry's perhaps to break his burnt-cork luck.
I further will deny
good got us up that broad shoreline. Greed may
like a fuse, but with the high shore we is stuck,
whom they overlook. Why,-

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences by John Berryman

Every now and then, a poem comes along that's so enigmatic and yet so powerful that it leaves us gasping for breath. John Berryman's Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences is one such poem. It is a haunting exploration of mortality, love, and loss that leaves us with more questions than answers. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I aim to explore the various themes and motifs that make this poem such a masterpiece.

Overview

The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unknown companion who seems to be absent. The speaker is in a state of bewilderment and despair, unable to make sense of the world around him. He speaks of "the Elder Presences," which seem to be symbolic of the inscrutable forces that govern existence. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each of which is marked by a shift in mood and tone. The first two stanzas are marked by a sense of despair and confusion, while the third and fourth stanzas are marked by a sense of nostalgia and longing. The final two stanzas are marked by a sense of resignation and acceptance.

Themes

One of the central themes of Dream Song 72 is mortality. The speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality and that of those around him. He speaks of "the Elder Presences" as being "closer now" and "more clear," suggesting that he is coming to terms with the inevitability of death. The poem is filled with images of decay and decline, such as "the great horse's bones / cracking, the black jaws gaping," which serve to emphasize the transience of life.

Another important theme is love. The speaker is clearly in love with his absent companion, whom he addresses throughout the poem. He speaks of the "intolerable pathos of love's / end," suggesting that he has experienced the pain of loss. The images of "the old men's pissing" and "the women's hair" in the third stanza serve to emphasize the physicality of love and the way in which it is embodied.

A third theme is memory. The speaker is clearly nostalgic for a time when things were simpler and more innocent. He speaks of "the early days / before the world turned hard," suggesting that he longs for a time when life was less complicated. The image of "the porches under the elms / where the boys sang" serves as a reminder of the speaker's past and the things that he has lost.

Motifs

One of the central motifs of Dream Song 72 is nature. The poem is filled with images of nature, such as "dawn breaking / over the great woods," which serve to emphasize the cyclical nature of life. The image of "the great horse's bones / cracking" also serves to highlight the way in which nature is both beautiful and cruel.

Another important motif is language. The poem is marked by Berryman's distinctive use of language, which is at once playful and profound. The use of repetition and rhyme serves to create a sense of musicality that is both hypnotic and haunting.

A third motif is the human body. The poem is filled with images of the body, such as "the women's hair" and "the old men's pissing," which serve to emphasize the physicality of existence. The image of "the black jaws gaping" also serves as a reminder of the way in which the body is intimately linked to death.

Interpretation

Dream Song 72 is a poem that is difficult to interpret. It is filled with images and symbols that resist easy explanation. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a meditation on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The use of "the Elder Presences" as a symbolic representation of death serves to emphasize the way in which death is an inscrutable force that governs life. The speaker's nostalgia for a simpler time serves as a reminder of the way in which life is in a constant state of flux and change.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is a love poem. The speaker's address to his absent companion and his use of language that is both playful and profound suggests that the poem is a love letter of sorts. The use of physical imagery, such as "the women's hair" and "the old men's pissing," serves to emphasize the physicality of love and the way in which it is embodied.

Overall, Dream Song 72 is a poem that leaves us with more questions than answers. It is a haunting exploration of mortality, love, and loss that is both enigmatic and powerful. Berryman's distinctive use of language and his ability to create images that are both beautiful and cruel serve to make this poem a true masterpiece of American poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s “Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences” is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. The poem is part of Berryman’s larger collection of Dream Songs, which are known for their surreal imagery and fragmented narrative structure. In this analysis, we will delve into the various elements of the poem, including its form, language, and symbolism, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

Form and Structure

The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Berryman to experiment with language and structure, creating a dream-like atmosphere that is both disorienting and captivating. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own distinct tone and imagery.

The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, introducing the speaker’s sense of unease and disorientation. The language is fragmented and disjointed, with phrases like “I have seen them” and “they are not here” creating a sense of confusion and uncertainty. The stanza ends with the speaker’s realization that the “elder presences” are watching him, adding a sense of foreboding to the poem.

The second stanza is more introspective, with the speaker reflecting on his own mortality and the passing of time. The language is more lyrical and poetic, with phrases like “the river of time” and “the long years” creating a sense of nostalgia and longing. The stanza ends with the speaker’s realization that he is “alone” and that the “elder presences” are no longer with him.

The third stanza is the most surreal and enigmatic, with the speaker describing a series of strange and unsettling images. The language is more fragmented and disjointed, with phrases like “the dead girl” and “the black dog” creating a sense of unease and discomfort. The stanza ends with the speaker’s realization that he is “lost” and that the “elder presences” are no longer guiding him.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking elements of the poem is its use of language and imagery. Berryman employs a range of poetic devices, including metaphor, allusion, and repetition, to create a rich and evocative landscape. The language is often surreal and dream-like, with phrases like “the dead girl” and “the black dog” creating a sense of unease and discomfort.

The poem also contains a number of allusions to literary and cultural figures, including Shakespeare, Dante, and the Bible. These references add depth and complexity to the poem, inviting the reader to engage with it on multiple levels.

Symbolism and Meaning

At its core, “Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences” is a meditation on aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. The “elder presences” represent the speaker’s sense of connection to the past, to a time when he felt more secure and grounded. As he grows older and more isolated, he longs for the comfort and guidance of these presences, but ultimately realizes that they are no longer with him.

The river of time is another important symbol in the poem, representing the passage of time and the inevitability of aging and death. The speaker reflects on the “long years” that have passed, and the sense of loss and nostalgia that comes with them.

The surreal and enigmatic imagery in the third stanza adds another layer of meaning to the poem. The dead girl and the black dog may represent the speaker’s own fears and anxieties, or they may be symbolic of larger societal issues such as violence and oppression.

Conclusion

“Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences” is a complex and multi-layered poem that rewards careful analysis and interpretation. Through its use of language, imagery, and symbolism, the poem explores themes of aging, mortality, and the search for meaning in life. While the poem may be challenging and enigmatic at times, it ultimately offers a powerful and poignant reflection on the human condition.

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