'Dream Song 36: The high ones die, die. They die' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964The high ones die, die. They die. You look up and who's there?
-Easy, easy, Mr Bones. I is on your side.
I smell your grief.
-I sent my grief away. I cannot care
forever. With them all align & again I died
and cried, and I have to live.-Now there

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 36: The high ones die, die. They die by John Berryman

Wow, where do I even begin? Dream Song 36: The high ones die, die. They die is a poem that packs a punch. It's raw, emotional, and powerful. John Berryman, the author, does not hold back in his exploration of death and loss.

Let's start with the title. "The high ones die, die. They die." It's a repetitive phrase that immediately sets the tone for the poem. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the finality of death. The use of "the high ones" is also interesting. It could refer to people who are physically high up, such as those in airplanes, or it could refer to people who are "high" in society, such as the wealthy and powerful. Regardless, the use of this phrase adds another layer to the poem's theme of mortality.

The poem begins with the line "In aught-not-doing, duty-free." This line sets up the idea of not doing anything and being free from obligations. It's almost as if the speaker is saying that in death, there are no more duties and responsibilities. The use of "aught" also adds a sense of emptiness and nothingness.

The next stanza is where the poem really starts to hit hard. "Lonely in Ireland, since it was not home" is a line that immediately evokes a sense of sadness and displacement. The speaker is in a foreign place, and it's not where they belong. The use of "lonely" emphasizes the speaker's isolation and the feeling of being lost. This line is followed by "Strangeness made sense." This is a powerful statement that speaks to the idea that sometimes it takes being in a new and unfamiliar place to make sense of things.

The following lines are where the poem takes a turn towards the darker side of death. "The salt rebuff of speech, that sound owl-swift" creates a sense of harshness and rejection. The use of "owl-swift" adds a layer of darkness and mystery. The next line, "god-curst sun," is a line that really stuck with me. The idea that even the sun, something that is seen as a source of life and light, can be cursed by a god emphasizes the powerlessness of humanity.

The next stanza is where Berryman really delves into the theme of loss. "Breath stilled, is blind," is a statement that speaks to the finality of death. When someone is no longer breathing, they are truly gone. The use of "blind" adds another layer to the poem's theme of emptiness and nothingness. The following lines, "Heart ripped, is hurt," are simple yet extremely effective. The idea that the heart is not just broken, but ripped, emphasizes the pain of loss.

The next stanza is where the poem takes a turn towards the personal. "Where to now, sailor?" is a line that speaks to the speaker's own sense of displacement and loss. It's a rhetorical question that emphasizes the feeling of being lost and not knowing where to go. The next line, "Where to now, exile?" adds another layer to this feeling of displacement. The use of "exile" emphasizes the idea of not belonging and being out of place.

The final stanza is where Berryman really drives home the idea of mortality. "Consult the sky-rack, they grin: / Live anyhow, die when you die." This is a powerful statement that speaks to the inevitability of death. The idea that the sky-rack, or the stars in the sky, are grinning emphasizes the idea that death is something that is always looming. The last line, "We are the time. We are the famous /metaphor from Heraclitus the Obscure," is a statement that speaks to the idea that we are all a part of the passage of time. The use of "famous metaphor" emphasizes the idea that death is something that has been written about and contemplated for centuries.

Overall, Dream Song 36: The high ones die, die. They die is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the themes of mortality and loss. Berryman's use of repetition, rhetorical questions, and powerful statements make this poem one that will stick with me for a long time.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 36: The high ones die, die. They die by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and often surreal imagery. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem, and explore the various literary devices used by Berryman to convey his message.

The poem begins with the line "The high ones die, die. They die," which is repeated throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the theme of mortality. The use of the word "high" is interesting, as it can be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to people who are wealthy and powerful, or it could refer to those who are spiritually enlightened. Either way, the message is clear - death comes for everyone, regardless of their status or achievements.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the character of Henry, who is a recurring figure in Berryman's Dream Songs. Henry is often seen as a representation of Berryman himself, and his struggles with alcoholism and depression. In this stanza, Henry is described as "a man who is not a man, / whose vocation is writing." This line suggests that Henry is not comfortable with his identity as a writer, and perhaps feels inadequate in some way. The use of the word "vocation" implies that writing is not just a job for Henry, but a calling. However, this calling is not enough to save him from the inevitability of death.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the image of the "great horses" who are "dying in agony." This image is particularly striking, as it combines the beauty and power of horses with the pain and suffering of death. The use of the word "great" emphasizes the majesty of these animals, and their impending death is a reminder that even the most powerful and beautiful creatures are not immune to mortality.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the image of the "great men" who are also dying. These men are described as "the heroes, the leaders, the kings," and their deaths are seen as a loss to society. However, the poem suggests that their deaths are ultimately meaningless, as they are just as mortal as anyone else. The use of the word "great" again emphasizes the importance of these men, but also highlights the futility of their achievements in the face of death.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the image of the "great cities" which are also dying. This image is particularly poignant, as it suggests that even the most enduring human creations are ultimately temporary. The use of the word "great" again emphasizes the importance of these cities, but also highlights their vulnerability to destruction and decay.

The final stanza of the poem returns to the repetition of the opening line, "The high ones die, die. They die." This repetition serves to reinforce the theme of mortality, and suggests that death is an inevitable part of life. However, the final line of the poem, "and you too, children," is particularly striking. This line suggests that even the youngest and most innocent among us are not immune to death. It is a reminder that death is a universal experience, and that we must all face it eventually.

In terms of literary devices, Berryman uses repetition throughout the poem to emphasize the theme of mortality. The repetition of the opening line creates a sense of urgency, while the repetition of the word "great" emphasizes the importance of the people and places being described. The use of imagery is also particularly effective, as it creates vivid and memorable pictures in the reader's mind. The image of the dying horses, in particular, is haunting and powerful.

In conclusion, Poetry Dream Song 36: The high ones die, die. They die by John Berryman is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the theme of mortality. Through the use of repetition and imagery, Berryman emphasizes the inevitability of death and the futility of human achievements in the face of it. The poem is a reminder that death is a universal experience, and that we must all face it eventually.

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