'Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent' by John Berryman
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Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent,
distinguish' friend, of coloured wif de whites
in de School, in de Souf.
—Is coloured gobs, is coloured officers,
Mr Bones. Dat's nuffin?—Uncle Tom,
sweep shut yo mouf,
is million blocking from de proper job,
de fairest houses & de churches eben.
—You may be right, Friend Bones.
Indeed you is. Defy flyin ober de world,
de pilots, ober ofays. Bit by bit
our immemorial moans
brown down to all dere moans. I flees that, sah.
They brownin up to ourn. Who gonna win?
—I wouldn't predict.
But I do guess mos peoples gonna lose.
I never saw no pickle wifout no hand.
O my, without no hand.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent by John Berryman
I am thrilled to dive into the complex and thought-provoking poem, "Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent," by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his revered collection, "The Dream Songs," which consists of 385 poems that explore the mind and experiences of a fictional character named Henry.
The poem in question, "Dream Song 60," is a reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. It is a poignant and moving piece that speaks to the universal human experience of growing older and grappling with the memories and regrets of the past.
Structure and Form
One of the most striking features of "Dream Song 60" is its structure and form. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with ten lines. The lines are irregular in length and do not conform to a specific meter or rhyme scheme. This lack of formal structure reflects the free-flowing, stream-of-consciousness style of the poem and contributes to the overall impression of disorientation and confusion.
The use of repetition is also prevalent in the poem, with various phrases and words repeated throughout. For example, the repeated use of the phrase "less dan" conveys a sense of loss and diminishment, while the repetition of "eight years" and "eight percent" creates a sense of time passing and the inevitability of aging.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, "Dream Song 60" is a meditation on the passage of time and the ways in which we are shaped by our experiences. The speaker of the poem is reflecting on his own life, and the memories and regrets that have accumulated over the years.
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for this reflection:
Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent,
Dey's donnes of ice, mislaughtered of the lilies,
Ol' times comer in like desires,
And that's de end of their exemplary energies;
Here, the speaker is acknowledging the passing of time and the ways in which our energy and vitality wane as we age. The reference to "donnes of ice" and "mislaughtered lilies" creates a sense of loss and decay, while the phrase "ol' times comer in like desires" suggests a nostalgia for the past.
The middle stanza of the poem is particularly poignant, as the speaker reflects on the regrets and mistakes of his past:
I am sorry, comrades, all,
That we went to jail,
But we'd no money for bail,
And no one else would pay at all.
These lines suggest a sense of regret and guilt, as the speaker looks back on a time when he and his friends were imprisoned for their actions. The use of the word "comrades" suggests a sense of loyalty and shared experience, but the fact that they were unable to pay for bail highlights the limitations of their situation.
In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker shifts his focus to the present moment:
There's not so many years to go
(will you survive?)
A million trillion gone quite soon
(how soon?)
Afte climbin half-way up life's hill,
I'm trampled by branches, beasts,
Descent beckons, the earth is iron
Here, the speaker is acknowledging his own mortality and the fact that time is running out. The repeated use of question marks and parentheses creates a sense of uncertainty and anxiety, while the metaphor of "climbing life's hill" and being "trampled by branches, beasts" suggests the struggles and obstacles that we all face. The final line, "the earth is iron," creates a sense of finality and inevitability, as if the speaker has resigned himself to his fate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's "Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent" is a powerful and moving reflection on the passage of time and the inevitability of aging. Through its free-flowing structure, repetition, and poignant imagery, the poem conveys a sense of loss, regret, and acceptance. The speaker's reflections on his past mistakes and his awareness of his own mortality create a sense of universality that speaks to all of us. This is a poem that reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing each moment.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing his friend, who has been absent for eight years. The speaker tells his friend that he has changed over the years, and that he is now less than eight percent of what he used to be. This statement is a metaphor for the friend's decline in health and vitality, and it sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery and metaphors. The speaker describes his friend as a "ghost" and a "shade," suggesting that he is no longer fully alive. He also compares his friend to a "candle" that has been burning for too long and is now flickering out. This metaphor emphasizes the friend's decline and suggests that he is nearing the end of his life.
The second stanza of the poem is more introspective, as the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He compares himself to a "candle" as well, suggesting that he too is burning out. He also describes himself as a "ghost" and a "shade," suggesting that he is not fully alive either. This comparison between the speaker and his friend emphasizes the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death.
The third stanza of the poem is more hopeful, as the speaker suggests that his friend's decline is not the end of his story. He tells his friend that he can still "rise again," suggesting that there is still hope for him. This statement is a metaphor for the friend's ability to recover from his illness and regain his health and vitality.
The fourth stanza of the poem is more philosophical, as the speaker reflects on the nature of life and death. He suggests that life is like a "candle" that burns out, but that death is not the end. He suggests that there is something beyond death, something that is "not nothing." This statement is a metaphor for the afterlife, and it suggests that the speaker believes in some form of spiritual existence beyond death.
The fifth stanza of the poem is more personal, as the speaker reflects on his relationship with his friend. He suggests that their friendship has been "long and sweet," and that he will miss his friend when he is gone. This statement emphasizes the theme of friendship and the importance of human connection in the face of mortality.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is more ambiguous, as the speaker suggests that there is something beyond words. He describes his friend as a "mystery," suggesting that there is something about him that cannot be fully understood or expressed in words. This statement emphasizes the limits of language and the importance of intuition and emotion in human experience.
Overall, Dream Song 60: Afters eight years, be less dan eight percent is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores themes of mortality, friendship, and the limits of language. Through its use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and introspection, the poem invites the reader to reflect on their own mortality and the importance of human connection in the face of death. It is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexity of human experience in his writing.
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