'Dream Song 54: 'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to
and leans against the door.
Comfortable in my horseblanket
I prop on the costly bed & dream of my wife,
my first wife,
and my second wife & my son.Insulting, they put guardrails up,
as if it were a crib!
I growl at the head nurse; we compose on one.
I have been operating from

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 54: 'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to by John Berryman

Dream Song 54: 'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to, the title is quite intriguing, isn't it? If you're a fan of poetry, you might have heard about John Berryman, and his Dream Songs. And if you haven't, that's alright because we're going to explore one of his most significant works.

Let's start by delving into the meaning behind the title. "I thumb the roller to" is a phrase that might confuse a lot of readers. But when you understand that Berryman is talking about a cigarette rolling machine, it all starts to make sense. The title suggests that the narrator is alone, and as the poem unfolds, we realize that the narrator is a man dealing with loneliness and isolation.

The poem begins with the phrase, "NO VISITORS," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The narrator seems to be shut out from the world, with no one to talk to, and no one to keep him company. This loneliness is a recurring theme in Berryman's work, and in this poem, he portrays it with vivid imagery and raw emotions.

Berryman's use of language in this poem is quite remarkable. He makes use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues on to the next line, to create a sense of flow and continuity. For example, in the first stanza, the line "NO VISITORS, I gleamed" continues on to the next line, "the information, by the paperweight". This technique creates a sense of urgency and restlessness in the poem, as if the narrator is trying to convey his thoughts as quickly as possible.

The second stanza begins with the line, "my desk light softened & its goose-neck lamp". This line is quite significant, as it sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The narrator's desk light is the only source of illumination in the room, and it is slowly fading away. This is a metaphor for the narrator's mental state, which is slowly deteriorating due to his isolation.

The third stanza is where Berryman's use of imagery really shines. He writes, "If I dress warmly I will vomit, badly". This line is quite jarring, as it suggests that the narrator's physical state is in disarray as well. The use of the word "vomit" is quite visceral and creates a sense of unease in the reader. It suggests that the narrator is not taking care of himself properly, and that his mental state is affecting his physical health as well.

The last stanza is perhaps the most poignant. Berryman writes, "I go up in flames to confirm / membership". This line suggests that the narrator is willing to do anything to feel a sense of belonging, even if it means sacrificing himself in the process. The use of fire as a metaphor is quite powerful, as it suggests that the narrator is willing to be consumed by his desire for human connection.

In conclusion, Dream Song 54: 'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to is a powerful poem that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human desire for connection. Berryman's use of language and imagery is quite remarkable, and he manages to convey the narrator's emotions with raw intensity. This poem is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to explore complex emotions with precision and depth.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 54: 'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of the Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most important works of American poetry in the 20th century. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem.

The poem starts with the line "No visitors", which sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker is alone, and there is no one to visit him. This line also creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, which is a recurring theme in the Dream Songs collection. The speaker is not only physically alone but also emotionally isolated.

The next line, "I thumb the roller to", is a reference to a typewriter. The speaker is trying to write something, but he is struggling. The use of the word "thumb" suggests that the speaker is not typing but rather manually moving the roller. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's struggle to express himself.

The third line, "much as my fancy allows", suggests that the speaker is limited in his imagination. He can only write what he can imagine, and his imagination is limited. This line also creates a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with the speaker's creative abilities.

The fourth line, "This sentence said aloud sounds pretty awful", is a self-critique of the speaker's writing. He is not satisfied with what he has written, and he knows that it is not good. This line also creates a sense of self-doubt and insecurity.

The fifth line, "I'll change it then, and make it better", suggests that the speaker is determined to improve his writing. He is not giving up, and he is willing to put in the effort to make it better. This line also creates a sense of hope and optimism.

The sixth line, "I'll change it to a flower, or a girl, or a bird", is a reference to the speaker's imagination. He is trying to come up with something more interesting and creative than what he has written. This line also creates a sense of playfulness and whimsy.

The seventh line, "Or a boy with a grapefruit", is a specific image that the speaker has in mind. This image is unusual and unexpected, which is typical of Berryman's style. This line also creates a sense of curiosity and intrigue.

The eighth line, "A hat, a song, a tooth, a shoe", is a list of random objects that the speaker is considering using in his writing. This line creates a sense of randomness and unpredictability.

The ninth line, "I'll change it to whatever I want it to be", suggests that the speaker has complete control over his writing. He can change it to whatever he wants, and he is not limited by anyone or anything. This line also creates a sense of freedom and empowerment.

The tenth line, "But it will still be pretty awful", is a continuation of the self-critique from earlier in the poem. The speaker is still not satisfied with his writing, even though he has made changes. This line also creates a sense of self-awareness and honesty.

The eleventh line, "No visitors", is repeated at the end of the poem. This repetition creates a sense of finality and closure. The speaker is still alone, and there is still no one to visit him. This line also reinforces the theme of isolation and loneliness.

The structure of the poem is unique and unconventional. The poem consists of eleven lines, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The lines are short and fragmented, which creates a sense of urgency and intensity. The repetition of "No visitors" at the beginning and end of the poem creates a circular structure, which reinforces the theme of isolation and loneliness.

The poem also uses several literary devices to convey its themes and ideas. The use of metaphor, such as "thumb the roller", creates a sense of symbolism and depth. The use of repetition, such as "pretty awful" and "No visitors", creates a sense of emphasis and reinforcement. The use of imagery, such as "boy with a grapefruit", creates a sense of vividness and specificity.

In conclusion, Poetry Dream Song 54: 'NO VISITORS' I thumb the roller to is a classic poem that explores the themes of isolation, loneliness, and creativity. The poem's unique structure and use of literary devices create a sense of urgency and intensity. The speaker's struggle to express himself and his determination to improve his writing create a sense of hope and optimism. The repetition of "No visitors" reinforces the theme of isolation and loneliness, creating a powerful and memorable poem.

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