'Dream Song 69: Love her he doesn't but the thought he puts' by John Berryman


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Love her he doesn't but the thought he puts
into that young woman
would launch a national product
complete with TV spots & skywriting
outlets in Bonn & Tokyo
I mean it

Let it be known that nine words have not passed
between herself and Henry;
looks, smiles.
God help Henry, who deserves it all
every least part of that infernal & unconscious
woman, and the pain.

I feel as if, unique, she . . . Biddable?
Fates, conspire.
—Mr Bones, please.
—Vouchsafe me, Sleepless One,
a personal experience of the body of Mrs Boogry
before I pass from lust!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 69: Love her he doesn't but the thought he puts

John Berryman's "Dream Song 69" is a complex and layered poem that explores the themes of love, desire, and denial. The speaker of the poem is a man who is in a relationship with a woman whom he does not love, but he is obsessed with the idea of her. Throughout the poem, the speaker wrestles with his conflicting emotions and desires, ultimately concluding that he will never be able to fully understand or control his feelings for this woman.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that he does not love the woman in question, but he cannot help thinking about her constantly. He describes her as "a good-looking piece of tail" and admits that he is attracted to her physically, but he does not feel any emotional connection to her. Despite this, he cannot stop thinking about her and even dreams about her at night.

The speaker's conflicted feelings are further explored in the second stanza, where he describes his attempts to distance himself from the woman. He tries to convince himself that he is not interested in her and even tells her that he does not love her. However, despite these efforts, he finds himself continuing to think about her and wanting to be close to her.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes increasingly introspective, questioning why he is so drawn to this woman despite not loving her. He wonders if it is simply because she is physically attractive or if there is something deeper at play. He describes feeling as though he is caught in a trap, unable to escape his obsession with this woman.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker admits that he will never be able to fully understand his feelings for the woman. He acknowledges that he is caught in a cycle of desire and denial, always wanting her but never truly loving her. He concludes the poem with the lines "Love her he doesn't but the thought he puts / keeps him alive."

Overall, "Dream Song 69" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human desire and emotion. Berryman's use of language and imagery is masterful, conveying the speaker's inner turmoil with precision and depth. The poem raises important questions about the nature of love and attraction, challenging readers to consider their own experiences with these emotions.

One of the key themes that emerges from the poem is the idea that desire and love are not always the same thing. The speaker is clearly attracted to the woman in question, but he does not feel any emotional connection to her. This raises important questions about the nature of desire and whether it is possible to separate it from love.

Another important theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of denial. The speaker is constantly trying to convince himself that he does not love the woman, even going so far as to tell her directly that he does not. However, despite these efforts, he cannot escape his feelings for her. This raises important questions about the role of denial in our emotional lives and whether it is ever possible to truly deny our feelings.

In conclusion, "Dream Song 69" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of human desire and emotion. Berryman's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem raises important questions about the nature of love, desire, and denial. Whether or not readers can relate to the speaker's specific situation, the poem is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to understand their own emotions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 69: Love her he doesn't but the thought he puts is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous Dream Songs collection, which was published in 1969. The Dream Songs collection is a series of 385 poems that explore the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Dream Song 69 is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that delves into the complexities of love and relationships.

The poem begins with the line "Love her he doesn't but the thought he puts," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is describing a man who is not in love with the woman he is with, but he is still thinking about her. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that love is not always straightforward and simple. Sometimes, people stay in relationships for reasons other than love, such as convenience or fear of being alone.

The next few lines of the poem describe the man's thoughts about the woman he is with. He thinks about her "all the time," but he doesn't love her. This line is significant because it shows that the man is not fully committed to the relationship. He is with her physically, but emotionally, he is not invested.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes the man's thoughts about hurting the woman he is with. He thinks about "hurting her & hurting her," which is a disturbing thought. This line is significant because it shows that the man is not only emotionally detached from the relationship, but he is also capable of causing harm to the woman he is with.

The next few lines of the poem describe the man's thoughts about leaving the woman he is with. He thinks about "leaving her & leaving her," which shows that he is not satisfied with the relationship. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes, people stay in relationships even when they are unhappy because they are afraid of being alone.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn as the speaker describes the man's thoughts about life and death. He thinks about "life & death & life," which shows that he is contemplating the bigger picture. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that sometimes, people stay in relationships because they are afraid of what will happen if they leave. They may be afraid of being alone, or they may be afraid of the unknown.

The final lines of the poem describe the man's thoughts about the woman he is with. He thinks about "her life in him," which shows that he is still connected to her in some way. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that even when people are not in love, they can still have a connection to each other.

Overall, Dream Song 69 is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of love and relationships. The poem highlights the idea that love is not always straightforward and simple. Sometimes, people stay in relationships for reasons other than love, such as convenience or fear of being alone. The poem also shows that even when people are not in love, they can still have a connection to each other. This connection may be physical, emotional, or philosophical. In the end, Dream Song 69 is a reminder that love is a complex and multifaceted emotion that cannot be easily defined or understood.

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