'Dream Song 121: Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it' by John Berryman


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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it,
the whole humiliating Human round,
out of this & that.
He made a-many hearts go pit-a-pat
who now need never mind his nostril-hair
nor a critical error laid bare.He endured fifty years. He was Randall Jarrell
and wrote a-many books & he wrote well.
Peace to the bearded corpse.
His last book was his best. His wives loved him.
He saw in the forest something coming, grim,but did not change his purpose.Honest & cruel, peace now to his soul.
He never loved his body, being full of dents.
A wrinkled peace to this good man.
Henry is half in love with one of his students
and the sad process continues to the whole
as it swarmed & began.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Criticism and Interpretation

Dream Song 121: Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it by John Berryman

John Berryman, an American poet, is known for his confessional style of poetry, often delving into his personal struggles and experiences. Dream Song 121: Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it is a part of his collection of poems called "The Dream Songs." This particular poem has significant literary value and captures the essence of grief in a raw and honest manner.

Literary Analysis

The poem is a dream song, and it consists of three stanzas with six lines each. Berryman's use of the dream song form allows him to delve into his subconscious mind and explore themes such as grief, loss, and self-reflection. The poem is written in a conversational tone, which adds to its rawness and honesty.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The line "Grief is fatiguing" is the first line of the poem and is a powerful statement that immediately captures the reader's attention. The word "fatiguing" implies that grief is not just emotionally draining but also physically exhausting. The next line, "He is out of it," suggests that the speaker has experienced grief and is now on the other side of it.

The second stanza of the poem delves deeper into the speaker's experience of grief. The line "One can tire of wine" is a metaphor for the speaker's exhaustion with life. The speaker is tired of trying to find comfort in pleasure and seeks a deeper, more meaningful purpose. The line "One can tire of sweetness & of consequence" suggests that the speaker is tired of superficial things and desires something more profound.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker finds hope. The line "He has found peace in the old terror" suggests that the speaker has found a way to make peace with his grief. The line "The light burns upward" is a metaphor for the speaker's ascent from the darkness of grief. The final line "O Lord, thou pluckest me out!" suggests that the speaker has found spiritual solace and has surrendered himself to a higher power.

Interpretation

The poem is about the speaker's experience of grief and how he has managed to find peace in the aftermath. The line "Grief is fatiguing" is a powerful statement that captures the essence of grief. Grief is not just emotionally draining but also physically exhausting. The line "He is out of it" suggests that the speaker has experienced grief and is now on the other side of it.

The second stanza of the poem delves deeper into the speaker's experience of grief. The line "One can tire of wine" is a metaphor for the speaker's exhaustion with life. The speaker is tired of trying to find comfort in pleasure and seeks a deeper, more meaningful purpose. The line "One can tire of sweetness & of consequence" suggests that the speaker is tired of superficial things and desires something more profound.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker finds hope. The line "He has found peace in the old terror" suggests that the speaker has found a way to make peace with his grief. The line "The light burns upward" is a metaphor for the speaker's ascent from the darkness of grief. The final line "O Lord, thou pluckest me out!" suggests that the speaker has found spiritual solace and has surrendered himself to a higher power.

This poem can be interpreted in different ways, depending on one's personal experiences with grief. For some, the poem may represent the journey from darkness to light, from despair to hope. For others, it may represent the search for meaning in the face of loss. The poem is universal in its portrayal of grief and how it affects us all.

Conclusion

Dream Song 121: Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it by John Berryman is a powerful and honest portrayal of grief. The use of the dream song form allows Berryman to delve into his subconscious mind and explore themes such as grief and loss. The conversational tone of the poem adds to its rawness and honesty. The poem's message is universal, and it captures the essence of grief in a way that is both relatable and profound.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 121: Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it, written by John Berryman, is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the theme of grief and its impact on the human psyche. The poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and often surreal imagery, as well as its exploration of the human condition.

The poem begins with the line "Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is clearly experiencing a deep sense of grief, and this grief has left him exhausted and drained. The use of the pronoun "he" in this line is interesting, as it suggests that the speaker is referring to someone else who is experiencing grief, rather than himself. This creates a sense of distance between the speaker and the grief he is describing, which is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The next few lines of the poem describe the physical and emotional toll that grief can take on a person. The speaker describes how "the body wears out" and how "the mind wears out," suggesting that grief can affect both the physical and mental health of a person. The use of the word "wears" is significant here, as it implies that grief is a gradual process that slowly erodes a person's strength and vitality.

As the poem continues, the speaker begins to explore the idea of memory and how it can be both a source of comfort and a source of pain. He describes how "memory is a kind of accomplishment" and how it can "keep you warm in the cold." However, he also acknowledges that memory can be a burden, as it can "drag you down" and "make you weep." This duality of memory is a central theme in the poem, as it highlights the complex and often contradictory nature of grief.

The speaker then goes on to describe how grief can affect a person's relationships with others. He talks about how "friends disappear" and how "lovers leave," suggesting that grief can cause people to withdraw from those around them. This is a common experience for many people who are grieving, as they often feel isolated and alone in their pain.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the nature of grief and its impact on the human spirit. He describes how grief can "make you old" and how it can "make you tired," suggesting that it can rob a person of their vitality and energy. However, he also acknowledges that grief can be transformative, as it can "make you wise" and "make you strong." This idea of transformation is a recurring theme throughout the Dream Songs collection, as Berryman explores how pain and suffering can lead to personal growth and enlightenment.

Overall, Poetry Dream Song 121: Grief is fatiguing. He is out of it is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the complex nature of grief. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem captures the physical and emotional toll that grief can take on a person, as well as its impact on their relationships with others. However, the poem also acknowledges the transformative power of grief, suggesting that it can lead to personal growth and enlightenment. As such, it is a poignant and thought-provoking piece that speaks to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way.

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