'Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories
lighting the past of Henry, of his glorious
present, and his hoaries,
all the bight heals he tamped- -Euphoria,
Mr Bones, euphoria. Fate clobber all.
-Hand me back my crawl,condign Heaven. Tighten into a ball
elongate & valved Henry. Tuck him peace.
Render him sightless,
or ruin at high rate his crampon focus,
wipe out his need. Reduce him to the rest of us.
-But, Bones, you is that.-I cannot remember. I am going away.
There was something in my dream about a Cat,
which fought and sang.
Something about a lyre, an island. Unstrung.
Linked to the land at low tide. Cables fray.
Thank you for everything.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories

John Berryman's Dream Song 25 is a dark and complex poem that speaks to the human condition with brutal honesty. In this poem, Berryman explores the mind of his alter-ego, Henry, who is struggling with his past, present, and future. The poem is divided into three stanzas, and each of them presents a different aspect of Henry's psyche.

The first stanza begins with a stark image of Henry "edged, decidedly," which suggests that he is on the brink of something. The word "decidedly" implies that he has made a decision, but it is unclear what that decision is. The following lines reveal that he is "making up stories," which can be interpreted in several ways. It could mean that he is lying to himself or others, or it could mean that he is using his imagination to escape reality. Either way, the implication is that he is not facing the truth.

The stanza continues with Henry imagining the people he has known, including his father and mother. He recalls his father as "a man who kept a store," which suggests that he was a working-class man. Henry's mother, on the other hand, is described as "the queen of my heart," which is a hyperbolic statement that emphasizes the intensity of their relationship. The stanza ends with Henry imagining himself as "a lion of God," which is a biblical allusion that suggests he sees himself as powerful and important.

The second stanza begins with a shift in tone, as Henry reflects on his past mistakes. He describes himself as "the man who beat his wife," which is a shocking admission. The use of the word "beat" is particularly jarring, as it implies violence and abuse. However, the stanza also suggests that Henry is remorseful for his actions, as he imagines himself "sitting alone, leaning on a telephone." The image of him alone and isolated is a poignant one, and it suggests that he is suffering the consequences of his past behavior.

The stanza continues with Henry imagining his ex-wife, Anne, who is described as "the woman weeping." The use of the word "weeping" emphasizes her sadness and suffering, and it suggests that Henry is aware of the pain he has caused her. However, he also imagines her as "the girl who slept with God," which is a reference to the biblical story of Mary, who conceived Jesus without a human father. This image is both beautiful and disturbing, as it suggests that Anne has found solace in religion, but it also implies that Henry sees her as unattainable and holy.

The third stanza begins with a return to Henry's present circumstances. He is described as "a man who has been in hell," which suggests that he has experienced some kind of trauma or suffering. The following lines reveal that he is now in a hospital, where he is being treated for his mental health. The image of him "lying flat on his back" is a vulnerable one, and it suggests that he is at the mercy of his doctors and caregivers.

The stanza continues with Henry imagining the people who are trying to help him. He describes them as "nurses & doctors & the priest," which suggests that he is receiving both medical and spiritual care. However, he also imagines them as "the man who will try to kill me," which is a paranoid and disturbing thought. This image suggests that Henry is struggling to trust the people who are trying to help him, and it implies that he may be experiencing delusions or hallucinations.

The poem ends with a haunting image of Henry imagining himself as "the angel of death," who is "riding the subway." This image is both surreal and unsettling, as it suggests that Henry sees himself as a powerful and ominous figure. The use of the subway as a setting adds to the disorienting effect of the image, as it suggests that Henry is both a part of and separate from the world around him.

Overall, Dream Song 25 is a complex and challenging poem that speaks to the human experience with unflinching honesty. Berryman's use of imagery and allusions creates a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, while his exploration of Henry's psyche reveals the complexities of human emotion and behavior. This is a poem that rewards multiple readings and careful analysis, as it offers insights into the human condition that are both profound and unsettling.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his collection of poems called The Dream Songs, which was published in 1969. The Dream Songs is a collection of 385 poems that are written in a unique style that combines both narrative and lyric poetry. The collection is known for its complex and often surreal imagery, as well as its exploration of themes such as identity, mortality, and the human condition.

Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories is one of the most famous poems in the collection. The poem is written in the voice of the character Henry, who is a recurring figure in many of the Dream Songs. Henry is a complex character who is often portrayed as a troubled and conflicted individual. In this poem, Henry is depicted as being on the edge of a mental breakdown, as he struggles to come to terms with his own identity and the world around him.

The poem begins with the line "The world is gone, I must carry you." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that Henry is struggling to cope with the loss of something important in his life. The line also suggests that Henry is carrying a burden, which could be his own identity or his own sense of purpose.

The next few lines of the poem describe Henry's state of mind. He is described as being "edged" and "decidedly," which suggests that he is on the brink of something. The use of these words also suggests that Henry is in a state of tension, as he struggles to make sense of his own thoughts and emotions.

The poem then takes a surreal turn, as Henry begins to tell "made up stories" about his life. These stories are described as being "wild" and "untrue," which suggests that Henry is trying to escape from his own reality by creating a fantasy world for himself. The use of the word "untrue" also suggests that Henry is aware that these stories are not real, but he is still drawn to them as a way of coping with his own sense of loss.

The poem then takes another surreal turn, as Henry begins to describe a "black angel" who is "sitting on his chest." This image is both disturbing and powerful, as it suggests that Henry is being weighed down by something dark and oppressive. The use of the word "angel" also suggests that Henry is struggling with his own sense of spirituality, as he tries to make sense of his own place in the world.

The poem then ends with the line "I am the angel." This line is both powerful and ambiguous, as it suggests that Henry has come to accept his own sense of darkness and oppression. The line also suggests that Henry has come to see himself as a part of something larger than himself, which could be a reference to his own spirituality or his own sense of purpose.

Overall, Dream Song 25: Henry, edged, decidedly, made up stories is a powerful and complex poem that explores themes such as identity, spirituality, and the human condition. The poem is written in a unique style that combines both narrative and lyric poetry, and it is known for its complex and often surreal imagery. The poem is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet, and it remains one of the most famous poems in the Dream Songs collection.

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