'Dream Song 44: Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon' by John Berryman
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77 Dream Songs1964Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon,
mention it in general to the moon
on the way down,
he's about to have his lady, permanent;
and this is the worst of all came ever sent
writhing Henry's way.Ha ha, fifth column, quisling, genocide,
he held his hands & laught from side to side
a loverly time.
The berries & the rods left him alone less.
Thro' a race of water once I went: happiness.
I'll walk into the sky.There the great flare & stench, O flying creatures,
surely will dim-dim? Bars will be closed.
No girl will again
conceive above your throes. A fine thunder peals
will with its friends and soon, from agony
put the fire out.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Dream Song 44: Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon is a poem by John Berryman that was first published in his collection "77 Dream Songs" in 1964. The poem is one of Berryman's most well-known and celebrated works, and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of contemporary American poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism present in Dream Song 44, and discuss how they contribute to our understanding of the poem's meaning and significance.
Analysis
The poem is written in free verse and consists of three stanzas, each containing six lines. The language used in the poem is direct and unadorned, with a simple and straightforward syntax that belies the complexity of the ideas being expressed. The poem is spoken by the protagonist, Henry, who is known to readers of Berryman's work as a kind of alter ego for the poet himself.
The poem begins with the line "Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the work. The forest fire and the moon are both potent symbols, representing destruction and creation respectively. The fact that the protagonist is calling out to these symbols suggests a desire to communicate with larger forces that are beyond his control.
Henry goes on to say that "Tell it to the starry dynamo, tell it to the child," which further reinforces this idea. The starry dynamo represents the vastness and complexity of the universe, while the child represents innocence and purity. By calling out to these symbols, Henry is acknowledging the existence of larger forces in the world that he cannot fully comprehend or control.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to Henry's own personal struggles. He says, "Tell it to the bird of dawn, tell it to the winter moon," which suggests that he is searching for some kind of guidance or inspiration to help him through a difficult time. The bird of dawn represents hope and renewal, while the winter moon represents darkness and despair. By calling out to these symbols, Henry is expressing his own ambivalence about his situation, and his desire for a way out.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Henry says, "Tell it to the old dead man, tell it to the hunted hare," which suggests a connection between mortality and the natural world. The old dead man represents death and decay, while the hunted hare represents the cycle of life and death. By calling out to these symbols, Henry is confronting his own mortality and the transience of human life.
Interpretation
Dream Song 44 is a deeply philosophical and existential work that speaks to some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. The poem's central themes include mortality, the meaning of life, and the search for transcendence. Berryman uses powerful and evocative imagery to explore these themes, drawing on a rich tradition of symbolism and metaphor.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that it mixes different registers of language and symbolism. The poem moves seamlessly from the grand and cosmic to the intimate and personal, suggesting a deep connection between the individual and the universe. This is perhaps best exemplified by the line "Tell it to the child," which connects the vastness of the universe to the innocence and purity of childhood.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of transcendence. Henry's calling out to the forest fire, the moon, and the starry dynamo suggests a desire to transcend the limitations of the human condition, and to connect with something larger and more powerful than himself. This desire for transcendence is a recurring theme in Berryman's work, and is often linked to his own struggle with alcoholism and mental illness.
At the same time, however, the poem is also deeply grounded in the physical and material world. The forest fire, the bird of dawn, and the hunted hare are all part of the natural world, and by calling out to them, Henry is also acknowledging his own place within that world. This tension between the transcendent and the immanent is one of the most powerful aspects of the poem, and speaks to the complexity of the human experience.
Conclusion
Dream Song 44: Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon is a masterful work of contemporary American poetry that explores some of the deepest questions of human existence. Through its use of powerful and evocative imagery and symbolism, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of mortality, the search for meaning, and the desire for transcendence. Berryman's language is direct and unadorned, but belies the depth and complexity of the ideas being expressed. Overall, Dream Song 44 is a work that rewards careful reading and interpretation, and stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Dream Song 44: Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. Berryman's poetry is often characterized by its use of language, imagery, and symbolism. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing someone, asking them to tell something to the forest fire and the moon. The speaker is not clear about what they want to be told, but they seem to be urging the other person to speak up. The use of the imperative "tell" suggests a sense of urgency and importance. The forest fire and the moon are both powerful natural forces that can be seen as symbols of destruction and creation, respectively. The speaker's choice of these two elements suggests that what they want to be told is something significant and meaningful.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a woman named Jane. The speaker describes her as "a woman with no hope in her eyes." This line suggests that Jane is going through a difficult time and is struggling with something. The speaker then goes on to describe her as "a woman who knows too much," which implies that Jane has experienced something that has made her wise beyond her years. The speaker's use of the word "knows" is interesting because it suggests that Jane's knowledge is not just intellectual but also experiential.
In the third stanza, the speaker describes Jane's situation in more detail. They say that she is "in love with a man who is not there." This line suggests that Jane is in love with someone who is either absent or unattainable. The speaker then goes on to say that Jane is "afraid of the dark," which is a common fear that many people have. However, the speaker's use of this phrase can also be seen as a metaphor for Jane's emotional state. She is in a dark place emotionally, and she is afraid of what might happen if she stays there.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces another character, a man named Henry. The speaker describes him as "a man who is not there." This line suggests that Henry is either absent or dead. The speaker then goes on to say that Henry is "in love with a woman who is not there." This line mirrors the third stanza, where Jane was described as being in love with a man who is not there. The repetition of this phrase suggests that both Jane and Henry are experiencing similar emotions and situations.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker describes Henry's situation in more detail. They say that he is "afraid of the light," which is the opposite of Jane's fear of the dark. This line suggests that Henry is afraid of something that is bright and illuminating. The speaker then goes on to say that Henry is "in love with a woman who is not there," which mirrors the previous stanza. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the similarity between Jane and Henry's situations.
The sixth stanza of the poem is the longest and most complex. The speaker begins by describing a scene where Jane and Henry are together. They say that Jane is "crying in the rain," which is a powerful image that suggests sadness and despair. The speaker then goes on to describe Henry's reaction to Jane's tears. They say that he "stands there like a tree," which is an interesting metaphor. Trees are often seen as symbols of strength and stability, but they are also rooted in one place and unable to move. This line suggests that Henry is strong and stable but also unable to help Jane.
The speaker then goes on to describe Jane's reaction to Henry's lack of action. They say that she "looks at him with eyes that are dead." This line suggests that Jane has given up hope and has resigned herself to her situation. The speaker then goes on to describe Henry's reaction to Jane's dead eyes. They say that he "looks at her with eyes that are dead." This line suggests that Henry is also resigned to his situation and has given up hope.
The seventh and final stanza of the poem returns to the speaker's original request. They say, "Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon." This line suggests that the speaker wants the other person to speak up and share their feelings with the world. The forest fire and the moon are both powerful symbols of nature, and the speaker's use of these symbols suggests that they want the other person to express themselves in a way that is both powerful and natural.
In conclusion, Poetry Dream Song 44: Tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon is a complex and powerful poem that explores themes of love, loss, and despair. The use of language, imagery, and symbolism is masterful, and the repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the similarities between the characters' situations. The poem's final request to "tell it to the forest fire, tell it to the moon" is a powerful call to action, urging the reader to speak up and share their feelings with the world. Overall, this poem is a masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet.
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