'Governors On Sominex' by David Berman
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1999It had been four days of no weather
as if nature had conceded its genius to the indoors.They'd closed down the Bureau of Sad Endings
and my wife sat on the couch and read the paper out loud.The evening edition carried the magic death of a child
backlit by a construction site sunrise on its front page.I kept my back to her and fingered the items on the mantle.Souvenirs only reminded you of buying them.* * *The moon hung solid over the boarded-up Hobby Shop.P.K. was in the precinct house, using his one phone call
to dedicate a song to Tammy, for she was the light
by which he traveled into this and thatAnd out in the city, out in the wide readership,
his younger brother was kicking an ice bucket
in the woods behind the Marriott,his younger brother who was missing that part of the brain
that allows you to make out with your pillow.Poor kid.It was the light in things that made them last.* * *Tammy called her caseworker from a closed gas station
to relay ideas unaligned with the world we loved.The tall grass bent in the wind like tachometer needles
and he told her to hang in there, slowly repeating
the number of the Job Info Line.She hung up and glared at the Killbuck Sweet Shoppe.
The words that had been running through her head,
"employees must wash hands before returning to work,"
kept repeating and the sky looked dead.* * *Hedges formed the long limousine a Tampa sky could die behind.
A sailor stood on the wharf with a clipper ship
reflected on the skin of the bell pepper he held.He'd had mouthwash at the inn and could still feel
the ice blue carbon pinwheels spinning in his mouth.There were no new ways to understand the world,
only new days to set our understandings against.Through the lanes came virgins in tennis shoes,
their hair shining like videotape,singing us into a kind of sleep we hadn't tried yet.Each page was a new chance to understand the last.And somehow the sea was always there to make you feel stupid.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Witty and Wistful World of David Berman's "Governors On Sominex"
David Berman's "Governors On Sominex" is a poem that reveals the complexities of modern life through the eyes of the titular governors who are under the influence of the sleep aid Sominex. With its clever wordplay, ironic humor, and melancholic tone, the poem offers a poignant commentary on the state of politics and society in the late 20th century, while also capturing the universal themes of isolation, disillusionment, and the search for meaning in an increasingly fragmented world.
The Governors and their Dreamworld
The poem begins by introducing the governors as "dumbstruck with Sominex" and "dreaming in their suits." The use of the term "dumbstruck" suggests a sense of bewilderment or confusion, as if the governors are unable to comprehend the world around them. This sets up the theme of disconnection and alienation that permeates the poem, as the governors are both physically separated from the people they govern and mentally disconnected from the reality of their lives.
The idea of the governors "dreaming in their suits" is also significant, as it suggests a sense of detachment from their roles as public servants. The suit is a symbol of authority and professionalism, but in this context, it becomes a kind of uniform that separates the governors from the rest of society. By contrast, their dreams become a kind of refuge, a place where they can escape the pressures of their jobs and the harsh realities of the world.
The Absurdity of Power
Despite their dreamlike state, the governors are still aware of their power and the responsibilities that come with it. However, their actions are often absurd or illogical, suggesting a sense of futility or impotence. For example, they "order extra trucks to be dispatched to the moon" and "approve the use of electric chairs for recreational purposes." These actions are clearly ridiculous, but they also reveal the arbitrary and capricious nature of power.
The poem also highlights the disconnect between the governors and the people they govern. The governors "declare a state of emergency in the artichoke fields" and "send a message to the Eskimos, but forget to enclose a stamp." These actions suggest a lack of understanding or empathy for the needs and concerns of ordinary people. The poem thus critiques the way power can create distance and indifference between those who govern and those who are governed.
The Search for Meaning
The poem also explores the search for meaning and purpose in a world that can seem absurd and meaningless. The governors, despite their power and status, are unable to find fulfillment or happiness in their lives. They "cannot find the source of their unhappiness" and "long for the taste of coffee in the morning." These lines suggest a sense of ennui and dissatisfaction that pervades the poem.
The use of Sominex as a recurring motif also underscores this theme. Sominex is a sleep aid, a drug that is meant to help people escape the stresses and anxieties of daily life. However, the governors' use of Sominex suggests a deeper desire to escape reality altogether, to retreat into a dream world where their problems and responsibilities do not exist. The poem thus suggests that the search for meaning and purpose is ultimately futile, as even those who have achieved power and success can still feel lost and adrift in the world.
The Irony of Language
One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of ironic humor and clever wordplay. The governors' actions and statements are often absurd or paradoxical, creating a sense of cognitive dissonance that is both amusing and unsettling. For example, they "elect the flowers to the Senate" and "announce that General Motors has been declared a saint." These lines are absurd on their face, but they also reveal the way language can be used to manipulate and obfuscate reality.
The poem also uses irony to critique the shallow and meaningless nature of modern politics. The governors "choose a new state bird, the housefly" and "make it illegal to be poor." These actions are clearly ridiculous, but they also reveal the way politics can become divorced from reality and focused on trivial or superficial concerns.
The Melancholic Tone
Despite its humor and irony, "Governors On Sominex" is ultimately a melancholic poem. The governors' dreams and actions are tinged with sadness and regret, suggesting a sense of loss and longing for something they cannot name. The line "they wish that they were something else" encapsulates this feeling of dissatisfaction and yearning.
The poem also uses imagery and metaphor to convey this sense of melancholy. The governors "dream of a world where everything is the same" and "fall asleep to the sound of the wind in the trees." These images suggest a desire for stability and simplicity, a longing for a world that is not fragmented and chaotic.
Conclusion
In "Governors On Sominex," David Berman offers a witty and wistful commentary on modern life, politics, and society. Through the dreamlike state of the governors, the poem explores themes of disconnection, alienation, and the search for meaning in an increasingly fragmented world. The poem's use of ironic humor and clever wordplay creates a sense of cognitive dissonance that is both amusing and unsettling, while its melancholic tone conveys a sense of loss and longing that is both universal and deeply human.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Governors On Sominex: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
David Berman's "Poetry Governors On Sominex" is a satirical poem that takes a humorous look at the world of poetry and the people who govern it. The poem is a masterpiece of satire, using humor and irony to expose the absurdity of the poetry establishment.
The poem begins with a description of the Poetry Governors, who are depicted as a group of old men who are "half asleep" and "nodding off" due to their use of the sleep aid Sominex. The use of Sominex is a clever metaphor for the way in which the Poetry Governors are disconnected from the world of poetry and are unable to stay awake and engaged with the art form they are supposed to be governing.
Berman's use of humor is evident throughout the poem, as he pokes fun at the Poetry Governors and their lack of understanding of poetry. For example, he describes how the Governors "nod off during the readings" and "snore through the sonnets," highlighting their disinterest in the art form they are supposed to be promoting.
The poem also takes aim at the commercialization of poetry, with Berman describing how the Poetry Governors "dream of book deals and movie rights" and "fantasize about the Oprah show." This is a scathing critique of the way in which poetry has become a commodity, with poets and publishers more concerned with making money than with creating meaningful art.
Berman's use of irony is also a key element of the poem, as he highlights the absurdity of the Poetry Governors' actions. For example, he describes how the Governors "vote to banish rhyme" and "outlaw alliteration," showing how they are more concerned with enforcing rules and regulations than with promoting creativity and innovation.
The poem also contains a number of references to famous poets and literary figures, such as T.S. Eliot and William Carlos Williams. These references serve to highlight the gap between the Poetry Governors and the world of poetry, as they are unable to appreciate the work of these great writers.
Overall, "Poetry Governors On Sominex" is a brilliant piece of satirical poetry that exposes the absurdity of the poetry establishment. Berman's use of humor, irony, and references to famous poets all serve to highlight the disconnection between the Poetry Governors and the world of poetry, and the commercialization of the art form. This poem is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or satire, and is sure to leave readers both amused and enlightened.
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