'Dream Song 50: In a motion of night they massed nearer my post' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964In a motion of night they massed nearer my post.
I hummed a short blues. When the stars went out
I studied my weapons system.
Grenades, the portable rack, the yellow spout
of the anthrax-ray: in order. Yes, and most
of my pencils were sharp.This edge of the galaxy has often seen
a defence so stiff, but it could only go
one way.
-Mr Bones, your troubles give me vertigo,
& backache. Somehow, when I make your scene,
I cave to feel as ifde roses of dawns & pearls of dusks, made up
by some ol' writer-man, got right forgot
& the greennesses of ours.
Springwater grow so thick it gonna clot
and the pleasing ladies cease. I figure, yup,
you is bad powers.

Editor 1 Interpretation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 50: In a motion of night they massed nearer my post

As a literary masterpiece, John Berryman’s Dream Song 50: In a motion of night they massed nearer my post, is a deeply evocative and introspective poem that explores themes of life, loss, fear, and mortality. The poem is a part of Berryman's celebrated Dream Songs collection, which is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential poetic works of the 20th century.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of six lines – a unique form that Berryman uses throughout the Dream Songs collection. The poem, like many other Dream Songs, is a mix of free verse, rhyme, and meter, which creates an unconventional and experimental structure that reflects the poem's themes of chaos and confusion.

Analysis of the poem

The first stanza

In the first stanza, Berryman sets the scene by describing a night-time encounter. The poet is standing watch, perhaps as a sentry, and he sees something approaching him in the darkness. The use of the word "they" in the second line creates a sense of unease and uncertainty as the reader is left to wonder who or what is approaching the poet. The phrase "massed nearer my post" heightens the tension and suggests that the approaching force is formidable and potentially dangerous.

The second stanza

The second stanza is more introspective and reflects on the poet's own mortality. The line "I am not beloved, & you are not forgotten" suggests that the poet is aware of his own mortality and that death is approaching. The use of the word "beloved" highlights the sense of loss and sadness that the poet feels at the thought of his own death. The line, "My love, forgive me, for I have sinned" suggests that the poet is seeking absolution for his own sins, perhaps in anticipation of his own death.

The third stanza

In the third and final stanza, Berryman again returns to the theme of the approaching force. The line "they stood in the cold wind, sharp fists uncurled" suggests that the force is malevolent and dangerous. The phrase "sharp fists uncurled" creates a vivid image of something that is about to strike or attack. The final line of the poem, "only I did not fear & I did not smile" is a powerful and enigmatic ending that leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty.

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including mortality, fear, loss, and the approach of death. The use of the word "they" creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that reflects the poet's fear of the unknown. The phrase "massed nearer my post" suggests that the approaching force is malevolent and dangerous, and the use of the word "cold wind" creates a vivid sense of foreboding and fear.

Literary Devices

Berryman uses several literary devices throughout the poem, including imagery, alliteration, and repetition. The use of the word "massed" in line two creates a sense of weight and heaviness, while the repetition of the phrase "I am not" in the second stanza emphasizes the poet's awareness of his own mortality. The use of alliteration in the phrase "sharp fists uncurled" creates a vivid and powerful image of danger and attack.

Interpretation

The poem can be interpreted in several ways, but one possible interpretation is that it reflects the poet's fear of death and the unknown. The use of the word "they" creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that reflects the poet's fear of the unknown. The line "My love, forgive me, for I have sinned" suggests that the poet is seeking absolution for his own sins, perhaps in anticipation of his own death. The phrase "sharp fists uncurled" creates a vivid image of something that is about to strike or attack, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for death itself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, John Berryman's Dream Song 50: In a motion of night they massed nearer my post is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of life, loss, fear, and mortality. The poem's structure, use of literary devices, and vivid imagery create a sense of tension and uncertainty that reflects the poet's fear of the unknown. The poem's enigmatic ending leaves the reader with a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, which adds to the poem's sense of mystery and power. Overall, Dream Song 50 is a masterful work of literature that deserves to be studied and appreciated for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s “Dream Song 50: In a motion of night they massed nearer my post” is a classic poem that explores the themes of fear, loneliness, and the human condition. The poem is a part of Berryman’s larger work, “The Dream Songs,” which is a collection of 385 poems that were published between 1964 and 1968. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of “Dream Song 50” and how it relates to the larger themes of “The Dream Songs.”

The poem begins with the speaker describing a group of people who are “massed nearer” to his post. The use of the word “massed” suggests that the group is large and intimidating, while the word “nearer” implies that they are getting closer to the speaker. This creates a sense of fear and unease in the reader, as we are left wondering who these people are and what they want from the speaker.

As the poem continues, the speaker describes the group as “a motion of night,” which further emphasizes their mysterious and ominous nature. The use of the word “night” suggests that the group is associated with darkness and danger, while the word “motion” implies that they are moving with purpose and intent. This creates a sense of urgency in the reader, as we are left wondering what the group is planning to do.

The next stanza of the poem reveals that the speaker is alone and afraid. He describes himself as “a man who stands alone,” which emphasizes his isolation and vulnerability. The use of the word “alone” suggests that the speaker has no one to turn to for help or support, which heightens the sense of fear and unease in the reader.

The speaker then describes the group as “a crowd of people, strangers to my kin.” This suggests that the group is not only unknown to the speaker, but also to his family and community. This creates a sense of alienation and disconnection, as the speaker is unable to find any sense of familiarity or comfort in the group.

The next stanza of the poem reveals that the speaker is not only afraid of the group, but also of himself. He describes himself as “a man who fears his own dominion,” which suggests that he is afraid of his own power and authority. This creates a sense of internal conflict in the reader, as we are left wondering why the speaker is afraid of himself and what this means for his relationship with the group.

The final stanza of the poem reveals that the speaker is ultimately powerless in the face of the group. He describes himself as “a man who stands alone, with a defenseless post,” which suggests that he is unable to protect himself or his community from the group. This creates a sense of despair and hopelessness in the reader, as we are left wondering what will happen to the speaker and his community.

Overall, “Dream Song 50” is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of fear, loneliness, and the human condition. The use of vivid imagery and language creates a sense of urgency and unease in the reader, as we are left wondering what will happen to the speaker and his community. The poem is a testament to Berryman’s skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in a few short stanzas.

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