'Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come' by John Berryman

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

77 Dream Songs1964There were strange gatherings. A vote would come
that would be no vote. There would come a rope.
Yes. There would come a rope.
Men have their hats down. "Dancing in the Dark"
will see him up, car-radio-wise. So many, some
won't find a rut to park.It is in the occasions, that-not the fathomless heart-
the thinky death consists;
his chest is pinched. The enemy are sick,
and so is us of. Often, to rising trysts,
like this one, drove he outand gasps of love, after all, had got him ready.
However things hurt, men hurt worse. He's stark
to be jerked onward?
Yes. In the headlights he got' keep him steady,
leak not, look out over. This' hard work,
boss, wait' for The Word.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come by John Berryman

Dream Song 10 by John Berryman is a compelling piece of literature that captures the essence of the human experience through vivid imagery, enigmatic language, and complex themes. This poem is part of a larger sequence of 385 Dream Songs, which are known for their surrealistic and highly personal style. In this particular poem, the speaker recounts a series of strange gatherings where a vote would come, but the meaning behind these events remains obscure.

The poem begins with the line, "There were strange gatherings." This short and simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the piece, immediately drawing readers into a world that is unfamiliar and mysterious. The use of the word "strange" also implies that the gatherings are not ordinary, but rather something out of the ordinary. This creates a sense of unease and tension that runs throughout the poem.

As the poem progresses, the speaker describes these gatherings in more detail. We learn that they take place "in little rooms" and that "a vote would come." The use of the word "little" to describe the rooms suggests that they are cramped and confined, adding to the sense of claustrophobia and discomfort. The fact that a vote would come also adds a sense of urgency to the proceedings, as if something important is at stake.

However, despite these details, the true meaning behind these gatherings remains unclear. The speaker says, "I know much evil happened there," but does not elaborate on what that evil might be. This ambiguity allows readers to project their own fears and anxieties onto the poem, making it a deeply personal and resonant experience.

One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 10 is the language that Berryman uses. The poem is full of enigmatic phrases and surrealistic imagery that defies easy interpretation. For example, the line "The eyelid of a little yellow god" is both strange and evocative, conjuring up images of ancient deities and mysterious rituals. This type of language creates a dreamlike atmosphere that is both alluring and unsettling.

Another key theme in Dream Song 10 is the idea of power and control. The fact that a vote would come suggests that there is some kind of decision to be made, but it is unclear who has the power to make that decision. The line "someone will suffer later" also implies that there are consequences to this decision, and that those consequences will not be pleasant. This theme of powerlessness and inevitability is a recurring one in Berryman's Dream Songs, and adds to the sense of existential dread that permeates the poem.

Overall, Dream Song 10 is a complex and thought-provoking piece of literature that rewards close reading and interpretation. Through its use of vivid imagery, enigmatic language, and complex themes, the poem captures the essence of the human experience and the anxieties and fears that we all share. Whether read as a metaphor for political power struggles, personal struggles, or something else entirely, Dream Song 10 leaves an indelible impression on the reader, and is a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come, written by John Berryman, is a classic poem that captures the essence of the human experience. The poem is a reflection on the complexities of life, the struggles we face, and the choices we make. Berryman's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a unique structure make this poem a masterpiece of modern poetry.

The poem begins with the line "There were strange gatherings." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that something unusual is happening. The word "strange" implies that the gatherings are not normal, and this creates a sense of unease in the reader. The line also suggests that the gatherings are important, as they are significant enough to be mentioned in the first line of the poem.

The next line, "A vote would come," adds to the sense of importance and urgency. The word "vote" suggests that a decision is being made, and that the outcome of this decision will have a significant impact on the people involved. The use of the word "come" suggests that the decision is imminent, and that the people involved are waiting for it to arrive.

The poem then shifts to a description of the people involved in the gatherings. Berryman writes, "I remember those faces, / each one different and all the same, / but now they are lost, forgotten, / like the votes that would have followed them." This description creates a sense of nostalgia and loss. The people in the gatherings are no longer present, and their faces are forgotten. The use of the word "lost" suggests that something valuable has been taken away, and the word "forgotten" implies that the people and their votes are no longer important.

The poem then moves to a description of the setting. Berryman writes, "I loved those houses, / damp and dark like memories, / but they are gone now, / replaced by something new." This description creates a sense of loss and change. The houses are described as "damp and dark like memories," which suggests that they were once important and meaningful. The fact that they are now gone and replaced by something new suggests that the past has been erased and forgotten.

The poem then returns to the idea of the vote. Berryman writes, "The vote would come, / and we would wait for it, / like children waiting for Christmas." This comparison to Christmas creates a sense of anticipation and excitement. The vote is something that is eagerly awaited, and the outcome of the vote is seen as a gift.

The poem then shifts to a description of the outcome of the vote. Berryman writes, "And when it came, / it was always the same, / the same disappointment, / the same defeat." This description creates a sense of hopelessness and despair. The outcome of the vote is always the same, and it is always disappointing. The use of the word "defeat" suggests that the people involved in the gatherings are constantly struggling and losing.

The poem then ends with the line, "But still we waited, / still we hoped, / still we dreamed." This line creates a sense of resilience and determination. Despite the disappointment and defeat, the people involved in the gatherings continue to wait, hope, and dream. This suggests that they are not giving up, and that they are committed to making a change.

Overall, Poetry Dream Song 10: There were strange gatherings. A vote would come is a powerful and moving poem that captures the complexities of the human experience. Berryman's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a unique structure make this poem a masterpiece of modern poetry. The poem is a reflection on the struggles we face, the choices we make, and the resilience and determination that keeps us going.

Editor Recommended Sites

Anime Roleplay - Online Anime Role playing & rp Anime discussion board: Roleplay as your favorite anime character in your favorite series. RP with friends & Role-Play as Anime Heros
Crypto Tax - Tax management for Crypto Coinbase / Binance / Kraken: Learn to pay your crypto tax and tax best practice round cryptocurrency gains
Logic Database: Logic databases with reasoning and inference, ontology and taxonomy management
Data Integration - Record linkage and entity resolution & Realtime session merging: Connect all your datasources across databases, streaming, and realtime sources
Secops: Cloud security operations guide from an ex-Google engineer

Recommended Similar Analysis

Vergissmeinnicht by Keith Douglas analysis
The Colossus by Sylvia Plath analysis
Sonnet 23: As an unperfect actor on the stage by William Shakespeare analysis
Without warning by Sappho analysis
Rain in Summer by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow analysis
Growing Old by Matthew Arnold analysis
Alone by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Why Did I Laugh Tonight? No Voice Will Tell by John Keats analysis
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge by William Wordsworth analysis
Mystification by Edgar Allen Poe analysis