'Dream Song 39: Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear' by John Berryman
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77 Dream Songs1964Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear.
'Nobody' (Mark saysyou said) 'is ever found out.'
I figure you were right,
having as Henry got away with murder
for long. Some jarred clock tell me it's late,
not for you who went straightbut for the lorn. Our roof is lefted off
lately: the shooter, and the bourbon man,
and then you got tired.
I'm afraid that's it. I figure you with love,
lifey, deathy, but I have a little sense
the rest of us are firedor fired: be with us: we will blow our best,
our sad wil riffs come easy in that case,
thinking you over,
knowing you resting, who was reborn to rest,
your gorgeous sentence is done. Nothing's the same,
sir,-taking cover.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 39: Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear by John Berryman
Are you ready to dive into the world of Dream Song 39 by John Berryman? This incredible poem is a part of the larger Dream Songs collection and is one of the most powerful and poignant entries. In this poem, Berryman takes us on a journey of grief, loss, and acceptance. He paints a vivid picture of a man saying goodbye to his father, and the emotions that come with such a moment.
The Structure of the Poem
Before we delve deeper into the meaning of the poem, it's important to understand its structure. Dream Song 39 is written in Berryman's signature style, consisting of three six-line stanzas with a rhyme scheme of ABBACC. The poem's length is only 18 lines, but its impact is immense.
The Poem's Meaning
At its core, Dream Song 39 is about saying goodbye to a father who has passed away. Berryman uses the speaker's emotions to convey the feelings of loss, grief, and acceptance. In the first stanza, we see the speaker struggling with the reality of his father's death. He cannot accept that his father has left him and is emotionally overwhelmed.
"How slimy beasts crawl thither in the night!
As huddled in the slops, they guzzled and slew,
dreaming of gentle Jesus and delight.
Pulverized by 'equity,' 'Let us chew
on a nice gumdrop, druther then a dried fig.'
Said suave Jesus on whom gold thrones are rigged."
The imagery used in this stanza is vivid and powerful. Berryman creates a sense of disgust and horror by describing "slimy beasts" and the "slops" they huddle in. The speaker is torn between wanting to remember his father in a positive light and struggling with the reality of his death.
In the second stanza, we see the speaker coming to terms with his father's death. He is still grieving, but he is also beginning to accept that his father is gone.
"Farewell, who would not ravish Adam's wife,
who would not invest his hideous yell
in satyr-dances down the coffins' sides
and rabbit-hole into the leap of hell,
who would not wantonly kill a goat and sing
hymns to haunt the parish with his stenching."
The speaker's emotions in this stanza are complex. He is both embracing the memories of his father and acknowledging his flaws. The reference to Adam's wife is a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, and the speaker is acknowledging his father's humanity and flaws.
The third stanza marks a turning point in the poem. The speaker is no longer struggling with his father's death, but rather, he is saying goodbye. He is accepting that his father is gone and is ready to move on.
"Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear.
'Then heaves the hand to heaven.' Father, forgive
our brief delay. We would not interfere
into thy canny dealings, lest we grieve
thee, worse than thee. But who shall see the last
of your sad race? Not I, nor any lost."
In this stanza, Berryman uses the phrase "goodbye, sir" to convey a sense of finality. The speaker acknowledges that his father is "in the clear" and is at peace. He asks for forgiveness for the "brief delay" in saying goodbye and acknowledges that he does not know the future of his family.
Interpretation
Dream Song 39 is a powerful and emotional poem that deals with universal themes of loss and grief. Berryman's use of vivid imagery and powerful emotions make this poem a work of art. The structure of the poem is simple, but the impact is immense.
The poem is an exploration of the human experience of loss and the emotions that come with it. It is a reminder that the people we love will not always be with us, and that we must find a way to come to terms with their passing. The poem's conclusion, with the speaker saying goodbye to his father and accepting his loss, is a powerful reminder that life must go on.
Conclusion
Dream Song 39: Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear is a masterpiece of poetry. John Berryman's words and emotions are powerful and moving, and the poem is a testament to the human experience of loss and grief. As readers, we are left with a sense of sadness and acceptance, and the reminder that life is fleeting, but we must find a way to move forward.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Dream Song 39: Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear, written by John Berryman, is a powerful and emotional poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and acceptance. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem's structure, language, and meaning, and uncover the hidden layers of symbolism and metaphor that make it a classic of modern poetry.
The poem begins with the speaker bidding farewell to someone, presumably a friend or loved one who has passed away. The opening lines, "Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear," set the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of finality and closure. The use of the word "clear" suggests that the person has moved on to a better place, free from the troubles and pains of this world.
The second stanza of the poem introduces a new character, a woman who is described as "the one who loved you." The speaker addresses her directly, asking her to "remember me, I remember you." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker and the woman share a common bond of grief and loss. They both knew the person who has passed away, and they are both struggling to come to terms with their loss.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful and emotional. The speaker describes the person who has passed away as "the one who danced on the high wire." This image is a metaphor for the person's life, which was filled with risk and danger. The use of the word "danced" suggests that the person lived life to the fullest, taking risks and enjoying every moment. However, the image of the high wire also suggests that the person's life was precarious and uncertain, and that they were always one misstep away from disaster.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces a new image, that of a bird. The speaker describes the person who has passed away as a bird who has flown away, leaving behind only "a few feathers." This image is a metaphor for the person's death, which is seen as a natural and inevitable part of life. The use of the word "feathers" suggests that the person's spirit lives on, even though their physical body is gone.
The fifth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic and difficult to interpret. The speaker describes the person who has passed away as "the one who rode the horse backwards." This image is a metaphor for the person's life, which was filled with contradictions and paradoxes. The use of the word "backwards" suggests that the person was going against the flow of life, doing things in a different and unconventional way. However, the image of the horse also suggests that the person was in control, even though they were going in a different direction.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the person who has passed away as a bird. The speaker describes the person as "the one who flew away," suggesting that they have moved on to a better place. However, the final line of the poem, "Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear," suggests that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with their loss. The use of the word "clear" suggests that the person has moved on to a better place, but it also suggests that the speaker is still grappling with their own emotions and feelings of grief.
In terms of structure, Poetry Dream Song 39 is a classic example of Berryman's unique style. The poem is written in six stanzas, each containing three lines. The use of the three-line stanza is significant because it creates a sense of rhythm and repetition, which reinforces the poem's themes of loss and acceptance. The repetition of the phrase "Goodbye, sir, & fare well" at the beginning and end of the poem also creates a sense of closure, suggesting that the speaker is finally able to say goodbye to the person who has passed away.
In terms of language, Poetry Dream Song 39 is a masterclass in the use of metaphor and symbolism. The images of the high wire, the bird, and the horse all serve to create a sense of depth and complexity, suggesting that the person who has passed away was a complex and multifaceted individual. The use of the word "clear" is also significant, as it suggests that the person has moved on to a better place, but it also suggests that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with their loss.
In conclusion, Poetry Dream Song 39: Goodbye, sir, & fare well. You're in the clear, written by John Berryman, is a powerful and emotional poem that explores themes of loss, grief, and acceptance. Through its use of metaphor and symbolism, the poem creates a sense of depth and complexity, suggesting that the person who has passed away was a complex and multifaceted individual. The repetition of the phrase "Goodbye, sir, & fare well" at the beginning and end of the poem creates a sense of closure, suggesting that the speaker is finally able to say goodbye to the person who has passed away. Overall, Poetry Dream Song 39 is a classic of modern poetry, and a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.
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