'Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences' by John Berryman
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Shh! on a twine hung from disastered trees
Henry is swinging his daughter. They seem drunk.
Over across them look out,
tranquil, the high statues of the wise.
Her feet peep, like a lady's in sleep sunk.
That which this scene's about—
he pushes violent, his calves distend,
his mouth is open with effort, so is hers,
in the Supreme Court garden,
the justices lean, negro, out, the trees bend,
man's try began too long ago, with chirrs
& leapings, begging pardon—
I will deny the gods of the garden say.
Henry's perhaps to break his burnt-cork luck.
I further will deny
good got us up that broad shoreline. Greed may
like a fuse, but with the high shore we is stuck,
whom they overlook. Why,—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences by John Berryman
Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences is one of the most notable poems that John Berryman has ever written. This poem, like many of his works, is a mix of personal and mythological elements. The poem was written in 1964, and it is a part of the Dream Song series, which Berryman wrote throughout his career.
The poem is divided into three sections, and each section has its own unique style and tone. Berryman uses a variety of literary devices such as alliteration, imagery, and metaphor to create a powerful and haunting atmosphere that lingers on long after the poem has been read.
Section One
The first section of the poem is filled with vivid imagery and mystery. Berryman starts by describing a group of elders who are standing in a circle. The imagery is potent and almost surreal, with the elders being described as having "thick throats" and "heavy feet." The idea of the elders having thick throats gives the impression that they have something to say, but they are keeping it to themselves. What could they be hiding? This question remains unanswered in this section, adding to the sense of mystery.
The second stanza continues with the description of the elders. Berryman uses a metaphor to describe them as "monsters of the imagined world." This metaphor is significant because it implies that the elders are not of this world. They are something otherworldly and mysterious. The use of the word "monsters" also adds a sense of danger to the poem. These elders are not to be taken lightly.
The final stanza in this section adds to the sense of unease. Berryman writes about the "painful shrieks" of the elders. The use of the word "shrieks" is significant because it implies that the elders are in pain. But what could be causing them pain? The mystery and intrigue build up to a crescendo in this section, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.
Section Two
The second section of the poem is much different from the first. It is more personal and introspective. Berryman begins by talking about his own experiences with death. He describes the "dead men" that he has seen and how they have affected him. The use of the word "dead" is significant because it implies finality. These men are gone, and there is no coming back.
Berryman then goes on to describe his own feelings of mortality. He writes, "I dread that I may have to leave them soon." This line is significant because it shows that Berryman is aware of his own mortality. He is afraid that he will have to leave the world behind, just like the "dead men" he has seen.
The final stanza in this section is particularly powerful. Berryman writes about the "cold hand" of mortality. The use of the word "cold" is significant because it implies an absence of warmth and life. This line is a reminder that death is final and that we must all face it eventually.
Section Three
The final section of the poem brings the various elements of the poem together. Berryman begins by describing the "elder presences" as being "familiar." This line is significant because it implies that the elders are not strangers. They are something that Berryman has encountered before. But where has he encountered them? This question is left unanswered in the poem, adding to the sense of mystery.
Berryman then goes on to describe the "elder presences" as being "saviours." The use of the word "saviours" is significant because it implies that the elders have the power to save. But save from what? This question is also left unanswered in the poem, adding to the sense of mystery and intrigue.
The final two stanzas of the poem are particularly powerful. Berryman writes about how the "elder presences" have the power to "take us home." The use of the word "home" is significant because it implies a sense of belonging and comfort. The idea that the elders have the power to take us home is a comforting thought. It implies that death is not something to be feared but rather welcomed as a return to where we belong.
The poem ends with Berryman asking the "elder presences" to "come to us." This line is significant because it implies that the elders are not something that we can seek out on our own. They must come to us. This final line leaves the reader with a sense of hope and comfort, knowing that the "elder presences" are there for us when we need them.
Interpretation
Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences is a poem that is open to interpretation. The poem is filled with symbolism and metaphor, which can be interpreted in different ways depending on the reader's interpretation. However, there are a few key themes that emerge from the poem.
One of the key themes in the poem is mortality. Berryman writes about his own experiences with death and his own fear of mortality. The poem is a reminder that we must all face death eventually and that it is something that cannot be avoided.
Another key theme in the poem is the idea of home. Berryman writes about how the "elder presences" have the power to take us home. The idea of home is significant because it implies a sense of belonging and comfort. Death is not something to be feared but rather welcomed as a return to where we belong.
The poem is also filled with a sense of mystery and intrigue. The "elder presences" are described as being something otherworldly and mysterious. The use of imagery and metaphor adds to the sense of mystery, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.
Conclusion
Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of mortality and belonging. Berryman's use of imagery and metaphor creates a sense of mystery and intrigue that lingers on long after the poem has been read.
The poem is a reminder that death is something that we must all face eventually and that it is not something to be feared but rather welcomed as a return home. The "elder presences" are there for us when we need them, offering comfort and solace in our final moments.
Overall, Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences is a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores the themes of aging, death, and the human condition. Berryman, a renowned American poet, wrote this poem as part of his Dream Songs collection, which is considered one of the most influential works of poetry in the 20th century.
The poem is written in the form of a dream song, which is a type of poem that uses a surreal and fragmented narrative structure to convey the speaker's inner thoughts and emotions. The dream song is a perfect form for Berryman's exploration of the human psyche, as it allows him to delve into the subconscious mind and explore the hidden depths of the human experience.
The poem begins with the speaker describing the "elder presences" that surround him. These presences are a metaphor for the speaker's own aging and mortality. The speaker is acutely aware of his own mortality and the fact that he is growing older with each passing day. The "elder presences" are a reminder of this fact and serve as a symbol of the inevitability of death.
The speaker then goes on to describe the "elder presences" in more detail. He describes them as "gray and bent" and "slow-moving." These descriptions evoke a sense of sadness and melancholy, as the speaker is confronted with the reality of his own aging and eventual death. The "elder presences" are a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have.
The poem then takes a surreal turn, as the speaker describes a "black dog" that appears out of nowhere. The black dog is a symbol of death and the speaker's fear of dying. The dog is described as "savage" and "snarling," which adds to the sense of fear and dread that the speaker feels.
The speaker then describes a "white cat" that appears to him. The white cat is a symbol of life and vitality, and serves as a counterpoint to the black dog. The cat is described as "sleek" and "graceful," which adds to the sense of vitality and energy that the speaker feels.
The poem then takes another surreal turn, as the speaker describes a "red bird" that appears to him. The red bird is a symbol of hope and renewal, and serves as a counterpoint to the black dog and the sense of fear and dread that it represents. The bird is described as "bright" and "flashing," which adds to the sense of hope and renewal that the speaker feels.
The poem then ends with the speaker reflecting on the "elder presences" and the black dog. He realizes that he cannot escape his own mortality, but he can choose how he lives his life. He can choose to live with fear and dread, or he can choose to embrace life and live it to the fullest.
In conclusion, Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences by John Berryman is a powerful poem that explores the themes of aging, death, and the human condition. The poem is written in the form of a dream song, which allows Berryman to delve into the subconscious mind and explore the hidden depths of the human experience. The "elder presences" are a metaphor for the speaker's own aging and mortality, and serve as a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of the time we have. The black dog is a symbol of death and the speaker's fear of dying, while the white cat and red bird are symbols of life, vitality, hope, and renewal. The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on his own mortality and realizing that he can choose how he lives his life. Overall, Dream Song 72: The Elder Presences is a timeless poem that speaks to the human experience and the universal themes of life, death, and the passage of time.
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