'Dream Song 86: Op. posth. no. 9' by John Berryman

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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968The conclusion is growing . . . I feel sure, my lord,
this august court will entertain the plea
Not Guilty by reason of death.
I can say no more except that for the record
I add that all the crimes since all the times he
died will be due to the breathof unknown others, sweating in theri guilt
while my client Henry's brow of stainless steel
rests free, as well it may,
of all such turbulence, whereof not built
Henry lies clear as any onion-peel
in any sandwich, say.He spiced us: there, my lord, the wicked fault
lodges: we judged him when we did not know
and we did judge him wrong,
lying incapable of crime save salt
preservative in cases here below
adduced. Not to prolong

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Dream Song 86: Op. posth. no. 9

John Berryman's Dream Song 86: Op. posth. no. 9 is a hauntingly beautiful poem that delves into themes of grief, loss, and the human condition. Written in Berryman's signature style, the poem is a testament to his mastery of language and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the meaning behind Dream Song 86 and unravel the layers of symbolism and imagery that Berryman uses to convey his message.

Analysis

At its core, Dream Song 86 is a poem about the aftermath of loss. The speaker is grappling with the death of his father and trying to come to terms with his grief. The poem opens with the line, "I heard the sighing of the reapers," which immediately sets the tone for the somber mood of the poem. The reapers here are symbolic of death and the inevitability of it. The speaker is acutely aware of the fact that his father has passed away and that he will never see him again.

Throughout the poem, the speaker tries to make sense of his loss. He reflects on his father's life and the memories they shared together. He describes his father as "an idol for to be dead / is something," indicating that he held his father in high regard and that his death has left a void in his life. The imagery of the "idol" also suggests that the speaker is grappling with the idea of mortality and the fragility of life.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more introspective, questioning the nature of his own existence. He asks, "what real good / is such a thing as remembering?" and wonders if memories are just a way for us to hold onto the past and avoid the reality of the present. This line is particularly poignant as it speaks to the universal experience of loss and the human desire to hold onto what we have lost.

Towards the end of the poem, the speaker comes to a realization that he must move on from his grief. He states, "I'll go alone, & the seed in the grain / will grow without me, whisked by the wheeling wind." This line suggests that life goes on even in the face of death and that the speaker must accept this fact and continue living. The image of the "seed in the grain" growing without the speaker is a powerful metaphor for the cyclical nature of life and the idea that even in death, there is the possibility of new beginnings.

Interpretation

Dream Song 86 is a deeply personal poem that speaks to the universal experience of grief and loss. Berryman's use of vivid imagery and symbolism allows the reader to connect with the speaker and feel the weight of his emotions. The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of repetition. The phrase "op. posth. no. 9" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the idea of loss and reminding the reader of the speaker's grief. The repetition of the phrase "I heard the sighing of the reapers" also adds to the somber tone of the poem and reinforces the idea of death as an ever-present force.

Another key theme in the poem is the idea of memory. The speaker reflects on his memories of his father and questions the value of remembering. This theme speaks to the universal experience of loss and the human desire to hold onto what we have lost. The speaker's realization that memories are just a way to hold onto the past is a poignant reminder that we must learn to let go and move on.

Overall, Dream Song 86 is a powerful poem that captures the essence of grief and loss. Berryman's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey complex emotions through poetry is truly remarkable. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotion and connect us with the human experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dream Song 86: Op. posth. no. 9 is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the complexities of grief and loss. Berryman's use of language and imagery is masterful, and his ability to convey the speaker's emotions is truly remarkable. The poem is a powerful reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones. As readers, we are left with a sense of the cyclical nature of life and the possibility of new beginnings even in the face of death. Dream Song 86 is a true masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to John Berryman's talent as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 86: Op. posth. no. 9 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of human emotions and the fragility of the human psyche. This poem is a part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is known for its surreal and dreamlike quality. In this analysis, we will delve deep into the themes, imagery, and language used in Dream Song 86 to understand the poem’s meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his friend, Henry, who is also the protagonist of the Dream Songs collection. The speaker tells Henry that he has been dreaming about him and that he is worried about him. The speaker’s concern for Henry is evident in the lines, “I worry. Do you worry? What about? / If you got a little, why not a lot?” The speaker’s use of rhetorical questions highlights his confusion and concern for Henry’s well-being.

The poem then takes a surreal turn as the speaker describes a dream he had about Henry. In the dream, Henry is a “big black piano” that is being played by a “little white boy.” The imagery of the piano and the boy is significant as it represents the duality of Henry’s personality. The piano symbolizes Henry’s strength and power, while the boy represents his vulnerability and innocence. The fact that the boy is playing the piano also suggests that Henry’s vulnerability is being controlled by his strength.

The dream then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes how the boy playing the piano is “beaten” by a “big man.” The violence in this imagery is disturbing and suggests that Henry’s vulnerability is being suppressed by his strength. The speaker’s use of the word “beaten” also suggests that Henry is struggling with some internal conflict or trauma.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone as the speaker reflects on his own emotions. He describes how he feels “sad” and “lonely” and how he wishes he could “sing” like the “little white boy” in his dream. The speaker’s desire to sing is significant as it represents his desire to express his emotions and connect with others. The fact that he wants to sing like the “little white boy” also suggests that he wants to embrace his vulnerability and innocence.

The poem then ends with the speaker addressing Henry again. He tells Henry that he loves him and that he hopes he is doing well. The speaker’s expression of love for Henry is significant as it suggests that despite their differences, the speaker cares deeply for Henry and wants him to be happy.

Dream Song 86 is a complex poem that explores themes of vulnerability, power, and trauma. The use of surreal imagery and dreamlike language adds to the poem’s complexity and highlights the fragility of the human psyche. The poem’s exploration of these themes is significant as it speaks to the human experience and the struggles we all face in navigating our emotions and relationships.

One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 86 is the use of imagery. The imagery of the piano and the boy is particularly significant as it represents the duality of Henry’s personality. The piano symbolizes Henry’s strength and power, while the boy represents his vulnerability and innocence. The fact that the boy is playing the piano also suggests that Henry’s vulnerability is being controlled by his strength. This imagery is powerful as it highlights the internal conflict that Henry is facing and the struggle to balance his strength and vulnerability.

The use of violence in the dream sequence is also significant. The fact that the boy playing the piano is “beaten” by a “big man” suggests that Henry’s vulnerability is being suppressed by his strength. This violence is disturbing and highlights the trauma that Henry may be facing. The fact that the speaker is dreaming about this violence also suggests that he is struggling with his own emotions and trauma.

The language used in Dream Song 86 is also significant. The use of rhetorical questions in the opening lines highlights the speaker’s confusion and concern for Henry’s well-being. The use of the word “beaten” in the dream sequence is also significant as it suggests that Henry is struggling with some internal conflict or trauma. The use of the word “sing” in the final lines is also significant as it represents the speaker’s desire to express his emotions and connect with others.

In conclusion, Dream Song 86: Op. posth. no. 9 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the complexities of human emotions and the fragility of the human psyche. The poem’s use of surreal imagery and dreamlike language adds to its complexity and highlights the struggle to balance strength and vulnerability. The poem’s exploration of these themes is significant as it speaks to the human experience and the struggles we all face in navigating our emotions and relationships. Dream Song 86 is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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