'Dream Song 15: Let us suppose, valleys & such ago' by John Berryman

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77 Dream Songs1964Let us suppose, valleys & such ago,
one pal unwinding from his labours in
one bar of Chicago
and this did actually happen. This was so.
And many graces are slipped, & many a sin
even that laid man lowbut this will be remembered & told over,
that she was heard at last, haughtful & greasy,
to brawl in that low bar:
'You can biff me, you can bang me, get it you'll never.
I may be only a Polackbroad but I don't lay easy.
Kiss my ass, that's what you are.'Women is better, braver. In a foehn of loss
entire, which too they hotter understand,
having had it,
we struggle. Some hang heavy on the sauce,
some invest in the past, one hides in the land.
Henry was not his favourite.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Dream Song 15: Let us suppose, valleys & such ago by John Berryman

Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were witnessing a person's innermost thoughts and feelings being poured out onto paper? That's how I felt when I read "Dream Song 15: Let us suppose, valleys & such ago" by John Berryman. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeply into this poem, analyzing its themes, use of language, and overall impact.

First, let's take a look at the poem itself:

Let us suppose, valleys & such ago
one pal unwinding from his labours for
the listenin' others. 'Let us suppose
that great X is a little dull—
or, bolder, let us suppose 
his nervous cracked; well, so they were
from the first, before man's bubble dominion
began to spread & darken & burst
them. Let us suppose 
every now & then a man went to sleep
and his body crawled off—
or some of his legs did—
and found themselves alone,
maybe at the top of a hill,
maybe beside a stream, or down a rabbit-hole,
anywhere. And they worked
themselves into a new body, and
a new man, with a different face,
and came back, to the surprise of his wife 
of ten years, on the tenth anniversary,
as a schoolteacher from the anthracite region
come home, with his name and address.
And they did this often, 
and no one ever knew it, and
so they grew rich, and got married,
and sometimes murdered each other.
And sometimes one turned up, 
years later, hollow with memories,
and sometimes they spoke to each other
in dreams.

At first glance, one may wonder what the poem is about. It begins with a scene of a person speaking to others, suggesting that great X is "a little dull" or "nervous cracked". The language is colloquial, almost as if we are overhearing a conversation. However, as the poem unfolds, we realize that this is not just small talk. The speaker is proposing a hypothetical scenario, one where a person's body can detach itself and transform into a new form. The idea is bizarre, yet fascinating.

What is Berryman trying to convey through this imaginative narrative? One interpretation is that he is exploring the concept of identity. The idea of a person's legs crawling off and becoming someone else is a metaphor for the many different identities we can take on throughout our lives. We are not just one person. We are a compilation of all the people we have been, all the experiences we have had. The fact that the new body has a different face also suggests that our physical appearance is not the only thing that defines us.

The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The phrase "before man's bubble dominion began to spread & darken & burst them" suggests that the speaker is referring to a time before humans took over the earth. In this context, the idea of a person's legs crawling off is a reminder that our bodies are not permanent. We will all eventually die and our physical form will disintegrate. However, the fact that the legs can transform into a new body, a new form of life, suggests that there is also the possibility of rebirth or renewal.

The final lines of the poem, "sometimes they spoke to each other in dreams", add an element of mystery to the narrative. Who are "they"? The people who have transformed into new bodies? If so, what are they saying to each other? The fact that they only communicate in dreams adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, making it feel almost like a surrealistic painting.

Now, let's examine the language Berryman uses to convey his message. The poem is written in free verse, meaning there is no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a conversational tone, as if we are listening to someone tell a story. The language is also colloquial, using phrases like "unwinding from his labours" and "from the first". This helps to ground the fantastical narrative in reality, making it feel more relatable.

One interesting aspect of the poem is the use of the word "suppose". The speaker begins by saying "Let us suppose" and then goes on to propose the hypothetical scenario. This word choice suggests that the speaker is not presenting a concrete truth, but rather a possibility. It also allows the reader to imagine their own version of the scenario, making the poem more interactive.

The poem also contains a number of vivid images, such as "maybe at the top of a hill, maybe beside a stream, or down a rabbit-hole". These images help to bring the narrative to life, making it feel more like a tangible experience rather than just an abstract concept.

One particularly powerful image is the phrase "hollow with memories". This suggests that the person who has transformed into a new body still retains their memories of their past life. This idea is both comforting and unsettling. On the one hand, it suggests that we are not just our physical bodies, but also the memories we carry with us. On the other hand, it raises questions about what happens to those memories when we die. Do they disappear with us, or do they live on in some form?

Overall, "Dream Song 15: Let us suppose, valleys & such ago" is a fascinating poem that raises important questions about identity and mortality. Berryman's use of colloquial language and vivid imagery makes the poem feel relatable and tangible, while the imaginative scenario he presents encourages the reader to think about the many different forms our lives can take. The final lines, with their enigmatic suggestion of dream communication, leave the reader with a sense of wonder and mystery. This is a poem that stays with you long after you've finished reading it, making you ponder the endless possibilities of life and death.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 15 is a poem that is both complex and intriguing. It is a poem that is full of symbolism and imagery, and it is a poem that requires careful analysis to fully understand. In this article, we will take a detailed look at Dream Song 15, exploring its themes, its structure, and its meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker asking the reader to imagine a time “valleys & such ago” when the world was different. The speaker then goes on to describe this world, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of a time when the earth was young and the sky was blue. The speaker describes a time when the world was full of wonder and magic, a time when anything was possible.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on his own life. He talks about the mistakes he has made and the regrets he has. He talks about the pain he has experienced and the sadness he has felt. He talks about the people he has loved and lost, and he talks about the things he wishes he could change.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses a variety of literary devices to convey his message. He uses metaphor and simile to compare his life to a “crazy quilt” and a “broken mirror”. He uses repetition to emphasize certain phrases, such as “let us suppose” and “I am not a happy man”. He also uses alliteration and assonance to create a musical quality to the poem.

One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 15 is its structure. The poem is written in a form known as the “Dream Song”. This form consists of three stanzas, each containing six lines. The first and third lines of each stanza rhyme, as do the second and fourth lines, while the fifth and sixth lines rhyme with each other. This creates a sense of symmetry and balance in the poem, which is fitting given the themes of the poem.

Another important aspect of the poem is its themes. Dream Song 15 is a poem about regret, about the pain of the past, and about the desire for redemption. The speaker is haunted by his mistakes and his failures, and he longs to go back in time and change things. He is a man who is searching for meaning and purpose in his life, and he is struggling to find it.

At the same time, however, the poem is also about the beauty of life. The speaker describes a world that is full of wonder and magic, a world that is full of possibilities. He talks about the people he has loved and lost, and he celebrates the memories he has of them. He is a man who is searching for meaning and purpose, but he is also a man who is grateful for the beauty of life.

In conclusion, Dream Song 15 is a poem that is both complex and beautiful. It is a poem that explores the themes of regret, pain, and redemption, while also celebrating the beauty of life. It is a poem that requires careful analysis to fully understand, but it is also a poem that rewards the reader with its depth and its beauty. John Berryman was a master poet, and Dream Song 15 is one of his greatest works.

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