'Dream Song 68: I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing' by John Berryman
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77 Dream Songs1964I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing,
and I went on: Miss Bessie soundin good
that one, that night of all,
I feelin fari myself, taxes & things
seem to be back in line, like everybody should
and nobody in the snow on callso, as I say, the house is given hell
to
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 68: I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing by John Berryman
John Berryman's "Dream Song 68: I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing" is a complex and layered poem that explores the themes of mortality, identity, and the human condition. Through the use of vivid imagery, sharp language, and fragmented structure, Berryman creates a dreamlike atmosphere that invites readers to delve deeper into the meaning behind the poem.
Summary
The poem begins with the speaker hearing a "Hey there from the wing" and wondering if it is a bird or a person. The speaker then goes on to describe a scene in which he is lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, and feeling the weight of his mortality. The speaker reflects on his life and the choices he has made, wondering if he has lived it to the fullest.
The poem then shifts to a conversation between the speaker and a woman named Lise. Lise questions the speaker's identity and accuses him of being someone else. The speaker denies this, but Lise continues to press the issue. The speaker then launches into a monologue about his past, revealing that he is a former athlete who has fallen from grace.
The poem ends with the speaker contemplating his own mortality once again, wondering if he will be able to meet death with dignity.
Analysis
One of the most striking things about "Dream Song 68" is its fragmented structure. The poem is made up of a series of disjointed scenes and monologues, each of which contributes to the overall meaning of the poem. This fragmented structure reflects the dreamlike quality of the poem and invites readers to make connections between the different parts.
The opening line of the poem, "I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The ambiguity of the line invites readers to wonder about the speaker's state of mind and the reality of the world around him. Is the speaker really hearing a bird, or is it all in his head? This uncertainty is echoed throughout the poem, as the speaker grapples with his own mortality and identity.
The scene in which the speaker is lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, is a powerful representation of the weight of mortality. The image of the ceiling pressing down on the speaker creates a sense of suffocation and claustrophobia, emphasizing the finality of death. The speaker's reflection on his life and the choices he has made adds to this sense of urgency, as he wonders if he has lived his life to the fullest.
The conversation between the speaker and Lise is another key part of the poem. Lise's accusations about the speaker's identity highlight the theme of identity and the ways in which we construct and shape our own sense of self. The speaker's monologue about his past serves to further complicate this theme, as he reveals that he is not the person he once was. This raises questions about the nature of identity and the ways in which it can change over time.
The final lines of the poem, in which the speaker contemplates his own mortality once again, are both poignant and powerful. The question of whether or not the speaker will be able to meet death with dignity is a universal one, and one that resonates deeply with readers.
Interpretation
At its core, "Dream Song 68" is a meditation on the human condition. The poem explores the themes of mortality, identity, and the ways in which we construct our own sense of self. Through the use of vivid imagery, sharp language, and fragmented structure, Berryman creates a dreamlike world that invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the choices they have made.
The ambiguity of the opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, inviting readers to question the reality of the world around them. This ambiguity is echoed throughout the poem as the speaker grapples with his own mortality and identity. The scene in which the speaker is lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, is a powerful representation of the weight of mortality and the finality of death.
The conversation between the speaker and Lise serves to further complicate the theme of identity. Lise's accusations and the speaker's monologue about his past raise questions about the nature of identity and the ways in which it can change over time. This theme is particularly relevant in today's world, where the construction of identity is increasingly complex and multifaceted.
The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker contemplates his own mortality once again. The question of whether or not he will be able to meet death with dignity is a universal one, and one that resonates deeply with readers. This theme of mortality is particularly relevant in today's world, where death is often hidden away and ignored.
Conclusion
"Dream Song 68" is a complex and layered poem that invites readers to explore the themes of mortality, identity, and the human condition. Through the use of vivid imagery, sharp language, and fragmented structure, Berryman creates a dreamlike world that challenges readers to question the reality of the world around them. The poem is a powerful meditation on the nature of identity and the ways in which we construct our own sense of self. The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker contemplates his own mortality and the question of whether or not he will be able to meet death with dignity. Overall, "Dream Song 68" is a powerful and thought-provoking work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Dream Song 68: I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. Berryman's poetry is often characterized by its confessional nature, and this poem is no exception. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.
The poem begins with the speaker hearing a "Hey there" from the wing. The wing is a metaphor for the speaker's subconscious mind, which is trying to communicate with him. The use of the word "Hey" suggests a casual and friendly tone, as if the subconscious is trying to make a connection with the conscious mind. This is a common theme in Berryman's poetry, where he explores the relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind.
The next line, "It was the heat of the sun striking on the wing," suggests that the subconscious is trying to communicate with the conscious mind through a physical sensation. The heat of the sun represents the intensity of the message that the subconscious is trying to convey. The use of the word "striking" suggests a forceful impact, as if the subconscious is trying to get the attention of the conscious mind.
The poem then takes a surreal turn, with the speaker describing a "great black bird" that "flew out of the sun." This bird is a metaphor for the subconscious mind, which is often associated with darkness and mystery. The fact that the bird flies out of the sun suggests that the subconscious is trying to bring something to light, to reveal something that was previously hidden.
The bird then speaks to the speaker, saying "It is not enough to love, if love does not love back." This line is a powerful statement about the nature of love. It suggests that love is not enough on its own, that it needs to be reciprocated in order to be meaningful. This is a common theme in Berryman's poetry, where he explores the complexities of human relationships.
The next few lines are a bit more difficult to interpret, as they are filled with surreal imagery. The speaker describes a "great white horse" that "rose from the sea." This horse is a metaphor for the conscious mind, which is often associated with clarity and rationality. The fact that the horse rises from the sea suggests that the conscious mind is emerging from the depths of the subconscious.
The horse then speaks to the bird, saying "I am the sun in his eyes." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret, but it suggests that the conscious mind is trying to assert its dominance over the subconscious. The sun in the eyes represents the blinding power of the conscious mind, which can sometimes overwhelm the more subtle messages of the subconscious.
The poem then ends with the speaker saying "I woke, and nothing happened." This line is a bit of a paradox, as the speaker has just experienced a powerful dream that has left a lasting impression on him. The fact that "nothing happened" suggests that the speaker is struggling to make sense of the dream, that he is unable to fully integrate it into his conscious mind.
In terms of structure, the poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This allows Berryman to experiment with different forms and structures, and to create a more fluid and organic poem. The use of surreal imagery and metaphor also adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, creating a sense of disorientation and confusion.
In terms of literary devices, Berryman uses a variety of techniques to create a powerful and evocative poem. The use of metaphor is particularly effective, as it allows him to explore complex themes and ideas in a more accessible way. The use of repetition is also effective, as it creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that propels the poem forward.
Overall, Poetry Dream Song 68: I heard, could be, a Hey there from the wing is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind. Through its use of surreal imagery and metaphor, Berryman creates a dreamlike world that is both disorienting and captivating. The poem is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet, and to his ability to explore complex themes and ideas in a way that is both accessible and profound.
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