'Dream Song 5: Henry sats in de bar & was odd' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Henry sats in de bar & was odd,
off in the glass from the glass,
at odds wif de world & its god,
his wife is a complete nothing,
St Stephen
getting even.Henry sats in de plane & was gay.
Careful Henry nothing said aloud
but where a Virgin out of cloud
to her Mountain dropt in light,
his thought made pockets & the plane buckt.
'Parm me, lady.' 'Orright.'Henry lay in de netting, wild,
while the brainfever bird did scales;
Mr Heartbreak, the New Man,
come to farm a crazy land;
an image of the dead on the fingernail
of a newborn child.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 5: Henry sat in de bar & was odd

Introduction

"Life, friends, is boring." This is the opening line of Dream Song 14, another one of John Berryman's Dream Songs. But in Dream Song 5, Berryman's protagonist, Henry, is anything but bored. He's sitting in a bar, drinking whiskey, and ruminating on his existential plight. This poem is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and it is one of Berryman's most famous and beloved works.

Analysis

The poem has three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the scene: "Henry sat in de bar & was odd, / off in the glass was the thoughtful stare / of an old bourbon." The language here is immediately striking. "De bar" is a deliberate choice on Berryman's part; it suggests a kind of colloquial familiarity, as if Henry is a regular at this particular establishment. The "thoughtful stare / of an old bourbon" is a masterful image, conveying not only the appearance of the liquor in the glass but also its age and history.

The second stanza is where the poem really takes off. Henry begins to reflect on his own existence: "Henry, beglamored by & suffering his own body, / tended to forget the pleasures of the mind, / forgetting, anyway, his lunch." This is a deeply tragic image. Henry is so consumed by his physical pain and discomfort that he cannot even remember to eat. But it's also a testament to the power of the mind. Even in his misery, Henry recognizes that there are pleasures to be had beyond the physical world.

The third stanza is the most enigmatic. Henry declares, "I never even started on my prime." This line has been the subject of much interpretation and analysis, but the meaning remains elusive. Some have suggested that it refers to Henry's artistic potential, while others see it as a commentary on the human condition. Whatever the case, the line is a haunting one, and it lingers in the mind long after the poem has been read.

Interpretation

At its core, Dream Song 5 is a meditation on the nature of existence. Henry is a deeply flawed character, but he is also deeply human. He is consumed by his own pain and suffering, but he is also capable of great insight and reflection. His musings on the pleasures of the mind and the elusive nature of his prime are universal themes that resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

One of the most striking things about this poem is its use of language. Berryman's word choices are deliberate and evocative, and they convey a sense of the world that is both poetic and immediate. The use of colloquialisms like "de bar" and "beglamored" adds to the sense of realism and authenticity that Berryman creates.

But perhaps the most powerful element of Dream Song 5 is its sense of empathy. Despite his flaws, Henry is a sympathetic character. He is a portrait of the human condition, struggling to make sense of a world that is often cruel and inscrutable. And in that struggle, he touches something fundamental about what it means to be alive.

Conclusion

Dream Song 5 is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a work that speaks to the human experience in profound and meaningful ways. Berryman's use of language is masterful, and his portrayal of Henry is both tragic and uplifting. This is a poem that rewards multiple readings, and it is one that will stay with readers long after they have put it down. For anyone interested in the power of language and the complexity of the human condition, this is a poem that is not to be missed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 5: Henry sat in de bar & was odd, written by John Berryman, is a classic poem that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is part of a larger collection of poems known as The Dream Songs, which Berryman wrote between 1955 and 1967. The Dream Songs are known for their unique style, which combines elements of both free verse and traditional poetic forms. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at Dream Song 5 and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the line "Henry sat in de bar & was odd," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "odd" suggests that something is not quite right with Henry, and this is confirmed in the following lines: "off in the glass from the glass / stared over his shoulder at some / thing behind him." Here, we see that Henry is distracted and preoccupied with something behind him, which creates a sense of unease and tension in the poem.

The next few lines of the poem describe Henry's surroundings in the bar, including the "mirror behind the bar" and the "bartender in whites." These details help to create a vivid image of the setting and add to the overall atmosphere of the poem. However, it is clear that Henry is not fully present in this environment, as he continues to stare off into the distance.

As the poem progresses, we learn more about what is troubling Henry. The lines "nothing, he said, had happened to him / & yet he was seeing ghosts" suggest that Henry is experiencing some sort of hallucination or delusion. The use of the word "ghosts" adds to the eerie and unsettling tone of the poem, as it implies that Henry is haunted by something from his past.

The next few lines of the poem describe Henry's attempts to shake off these ghosts: "it's worse than liquor--he said, / & began to sob, to hiccup / & to speak in tongues and twitch." Here, we see that Henry is struggling to cope with his hallucinations and is turning to alcohol as a means of escape. However, this only seems to make things worse, as he becomes increasingly agitated and erratic.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as they reveal the source of Henry's distress: "they were in fact / not ghosts but ladies & men / very dear to him, whom he had / loved." Here, we see that Henry is not haunted by some supernatural force, but by the memories of loved ones who have passed away. This revelation adds a layer of complexity to the poem and makes it all the more poignant.

In terms of structure, Dream Song 5 is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This allows Berryman to experiment with different rhythms and cadences, which adds to the overall musicality of the poem. The use of enjambment, where lines run on without punctuation, also contributes to the flow of the poem and creates a sense of continuity between the different stanzas.

One of the most striking literary devices used in Dream Song 5 is the repetition of certain phrases and images. For example, the phrase "Henry sat in de bar & was odd" is repeated several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of familiarity and reinforces the central theme of Henry's detachment from reality. Similarly, the image of the mirror behind the bar is mentioned multiple times, which adds to the sense of unease and disorientation in the poem.

Another notable literary device used in Dream Song 5 is the use of allusion. The line "he spoke of the excellence of love; / but we know that excellent is not love" is a reference to Shakespeare's Sonnet 116, which explores the nature of true love. By alluding to this famous poem, Berryman adds depth and complexity to his own work and invites readers to draw connections between the two.

In conclusion, Dream Song 5: Henry sat in de bar & was odd is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and detachment. Through its vivid imagery, musical language, and use of literary devices, Berryman creates a world that is both familiar and unsettling, drawing readers into the mind of a troubled protagonist. This poem is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few lines of verse.

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