'Dream Song 59: Henry's Meditation in the Kremlin' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Down on the cathedrals, as from the Giralda
in a land no crueller, and over the walls
to domes & river look
from Great John's belfry, Ivan-Veliky,
whose thirty-one are still
to hail who storms no father's throne. Bell, book& cradle rule, in silence. Hour by hour
from time to time with holy oil
touch yet the forehead eyelids nose
lips ears breast fists of Kruschev, for Christ knows
poor evil Kadar, cut, is back in power.
Boils his throne. The moujik kneels & votes.South & east of the others' tombs-where? why,
in Arkhanghelsky, on the Baptist's side,
lies Brother Jonas (fomrerly Ivan the Terrible),
where Brother Josef came with his friend's heart
out of such guilt it proved all bearable,
and Brother Nikita will come and lie.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 59: Henry's Meditation in the Kremlin by John Berryman

Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling like you've just been through a storm of emotions? That's exactly how I felt after reading John Berryman's "Dream Song 59: Henry's Meditation in the Kremlin." This poem is part of Berryman's "Dream Songs" collection, a series of poems that explore the life and experiences of a character named Henry. In this particular poem, Henry finds himself in the Kremlin, the seat of power of the Soviet Union, where he meditates on his life, his mistakes, and the world around him.

The poem is written in free verse and is divided into six stanzas. Each stanza is made up of four lines, except for the last one, which is just two lines long. At first glance, the poem may seem disjointed and hard to follow, but as you read on, you realize that each stanza is a thought or reflection that Henry is having. The poem is like a stream of consciousness, where we are privy to Henry's innermost thoughts and feelings.

The first stanza begins with Henry reflecting on his life and how it has led him to the Kremlin. He says, "Beneath the factory / slagheap of his life slept Henry / plotzing, until suddenly he rose / awake in the superheated air." This stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. We get a sense of Henry's exhaustion and the weight of his past on his shoulders. The use of the word "plotzing" is interesting as it's a Yiddish term that means to collapse or fall down. It adds a layer of cultural significance to the poem and shows us that Henry's experiences and struggles are not unique to him.

The second stanza is where Henry's meditation truly begins. He looks out at the world around him and sees "the state apartments, the protocol, / the tilt of the world to the east, / the onion domes, the white arcades." Henry is in awe of what he sees, but he also realizes that the world is not perfect. He says, "but what, he said, can I do about it? / I must keep on living." This is a poignant moment in the poem as it shows us that despite everything, Henry is still trying to find meaning in his life.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. Henry reflects on his relationships and how they've failed him. He says, "He had married and had children—and all / these things changed, but we human beings / change too fast and we become / strangers to ourselves." This is a universal truth that many of us can relate to. We all change and grow, but sometimes, we change so much that we don't recognize ourselves anymore.

The fourth stanza is where Berryman's skill as a poet truly shines. He uses a series of metaphors to describe Henry's state of mind. He says, "Henry believed he could define himself out / of his miseries, / but he could not, he only / aggravated them." The use of the metaphor "define himself out" is brilliant as it shows us that Henry is trying to make sense of his life, but he's only making things worse for himself.

The fifth stanza is a continuation of Henry's self-reflection. He says, "He had done things he regretted, / and he had not done things he regretted." This is a powerful statement as it shows us that Henry is aware of his mistakes and shortcomings. He's not trying to justify or excuse his behavior, but he's owning up to them.

The final stanza is the shortest, but it's also the most powerful. Henry says, "I have no words to tell you / what I feel." This is a powerful statement as it shows us that sometimes, there are no words to express what we're feeling. The use of the word "feel" is also interesting as it shows us that Henry's emotions are raw and intense.

In conclusion, "Dream Song 59: Henry's Meditation in the Kremlin" is a powerful poem that explores the human experience of self-reflection and regret. Berryman's use of free verse and metaphors adds depth and meaning to the poem, and Henry's innermost thoughts and feelings are relatable and universal. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity of the human experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and emotionally charged poem.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman's "Dream Song 59: Henry's Meditation in the Kremlin" is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of power, identity, and mortality. 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 examine the poem's structure, language, and themes to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker, Henry, meditating in the Kremlin, the seat of power in the Soviet Union. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with Henry reflecting on the "cold" and "dark" atmosphere of the Kremlin. The language here is stark and foreboding, suggesting that Henry is in a place of great power but also great danger. The use of the word "Kremlin" is significant, as it is a symbol of Soviet power and control. By placing Henry in this location, Berryman is commenting on the nature of power and its effects on the individual.

The second stanza introduces the image of the "black bird," which is a recurring motif throughout the Dream Songs. The bird is described as "squatting" and "singing," suggesting that it is both a physical presence and a metaphorical one. The bird's song is described as "unholy," which adds to the ominous tone of the poem. The bird's presence in the Kremlin is significant, as it suggests that even in a place of great power, there is still darkness and corruption.

The third stanza introduces the theme of identity, as Henry reflects on his own sense of self. He describes himself as "a man of genius" who is "not a man of power." This suggests that Henry sees himself as separate from the world of politics and power, and that he values his own creativity and intellect over material wealth or influence. The use of the word "genius" is significant, as it suggests that Henry sees himself as someone who is capable of great things but is not recognized for his talents.

The fourth stanza introduces the theme of mortality, as Henry reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death. He describes himself as "a man of death," suggesting that he is aware of his own mortality and is not afraid to confront it. The use of the word "death" is significant, as it suggests that Henry sees death as a natural part of life and not something to be feared.

The fifth stanza introduces the image of the "white cat," which is another recurring motif in the Dream Songs. The cat is described as "slinking" and "sleek," suggesting that it is a symbol of grace and elegance. The cat's presence in the Kremlin is significant, as it suggests that even in a place of darkness and corruption, there is still beauty and grace.

The sixth stanza returns to the theme of identity, as Henry reflects on his own sense of self and his relationship to the world around him. He describes himself as "a man of love," suggesting that he values his relationships with others over material wealth or influence. The use of the word "love" is significant, as it suggests that Henry sees love as a powerful force that can overcome even the darkest of circumstances.

The seventh stanza introduces the image of the "white horse," which is a symbol of purity and freedom. The horse is described as "galloping" and "wild," suggesting that it is a symbol of freedom and liberation. The horse's presence in the Kremlin is significant, as it suggests that even in a place of power and control, there is still the possibility of freedom and liberation.

The eighth stanza returns to the theme of mortality, as Henry reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death. He describes himself as "a man of death," suggesting that he is aware of his own mortality and is not afraid to confront it. The use of the word "death" is significant, as it suggests that Henry sees death as a natural part of life and not something to be feared.

The ninth stanza introduces the image of the "black dog," which is a symbol of depression and despair. The dog is described as "growling" and "snapping," suggesting that it is a symbol of darkness and negativity. The dog's presence in the Kremlin is significant, as it suggests that even in a place of power and control, there is still darkness and negativity.

The final stanza returns to the theme of identity, as Henry reflects on his own sense of self and his relationship to the world around him. He describes himself as "a man of love," suggesting that he values his relationships with others over material wealth or influence. The use of the word "love" is significant, as it suggests that Henry sees love as a powerful force that can overcome even the darkest of circumstances.

In conclusion, John Berryman's "Dream Song 59: Henry's Meditation in the Kremlin" is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of power, identity, and mortality. The poem's use of imagery and language creates a foreboding and ominous atmosphere, suggesting that even in a place of great power, there is still darkness and corruption. However, the poem also suggests that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is still the possibility of beauty, grace, and love. Overall, the poem is a powerful commentary on the nature of power and its effects on the individual, as well as a meditation on the human condition and the inevitability of death.

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