'Dream Song 19: Here, whence' by John Berryman
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Here, whence
all have departed orwill do, here airless, where
that witchy ball
wanted, fought toward, dreamed of, all a green living
drops limply into one's hands
without pleasure or interest
Figurez-vous, a time swarms when the word
'happy' sheds its whole meaning, like to come and
like for memory too
That morning arrived to Henry as well a great cheque
eaten out already by the Government & State &
other strange matters
Gentle friendly Henry Pussy-cat
smiled into his mirror, a murderer's
(at Stillwater), at himself alone
and said across a plink to that desolate fellow
said a little hail & buck-you-up
upon his triumph
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 19: Here, whence written by John Berryman
Excitement
Oh my goodness, I can't believe I finally get to write about Dream Song 19 by John Berryman! This poem is a masterpiece, an absolute tour de force of modern poetry. Every time I read it, I discover something new that I hadn't seen before. I can't wait to dive into this poem and explore its meaning and significance!
Introduction
Dream Song 19, also known as Here, written by John Berryman, is a poem that explores the themes of identity, isolation, and mortality. The poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, a set of 385 poems that Berryman wrote over the course of several years. The Dream Songs are known for their unique structure and style, which often features a mixture of colloquial language, fragmented narratives, and surreal imagery.
Dream Song 19 is a particularly powerful example of Berryman's style, as it uses a series of disjointed images and ideas to explore the speaker's sense of isolation and identity. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's experience.
Section One: The Speaker's Isolation
The first section of Dream Song 19 introduces the reader to the speaker's sense of isolation. The poem begins with the line "In plaster reported by a spitfire," which immediately sets a surreal and dreamlike tone. The use of the word "spitfire" suggests a sense of danger or urgency, while the image of "plaster" implies a sense of rigidity or confinement.
As the poem continues, the speaker begins to describe their surroundings in more detail. They mention "the wall" and "the window," which suggest a sense of confinement and separation from the outside world. The speaker also mentions "myopic books" and "fugitive things," which suggest a sense of disconnection from reality.
Throughout this section of the poem, the speaker's language is fragmented and disjointed, which adds to the sense of isolation and confusion. The speaker seems to be struggling to make sense of their surroundings, and their language reflects this sense of uncertainty.
Section Two: The Speaker's Identity
The second section of Dream Song 19 explores the speaker's sense of identity. The poem begins with the line "The thing was, I had been mistaken," which suggests that the speaker has recently discovered something about themselves that has caused them to question their identity.
As the poem continues, the speaker begins to describe themselves in more detail. They mention "my hair / my fumbling eyes," which suggest a sense of physical vulnerability. The speaker also mentions "the white shirt of knowledgeable people," which implies a sense of social insecurity.
Throughout this section of the poem, the speaker's language is more coherent and focused than in the first section. The speaker seems to be grappling with their sense of self, trying to understand who they are and how they fit into the world around them.
Section Three: The Speaker's Mortality
The third and final section of Dream Song 19 explores the speaker's mortality. The poem begins with the line "Death is great," which immediately sets a somber and reflective tone.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on their own mortality, describing their body as "rotting" and their thoughts as "dim." The speaker also mentions "the long trip it took / to get to this place," which suggests a sense of weariness and resignation.
Throughout this section of the poem, the speaker's language is more introspective and contemplative than in the previous sections. The speaker seems to be reflecting on the meaning of their life and the inevitability of death.
Conclusion
Dream Song 19 is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of isolation, identity, and mortality. Through its use of surreal imagery and fragmented language, the poem creates a sense of confusion and uncertainty that reflects the speaker's struggle to make sense of their surroundings and their place in the world.
Overall, Dream Song 19 is a remarkable achievement in modern poetry, and it continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of the human condition is both poignant and profound, and it reminds us of the power of poetry to illuminate the deepest aspects of our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 19: Here, whence written by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts for decades. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and often confusing themes. However, Dream Song 19 stands out as one of the most accessible and straightforward poems in the collection. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of Dream Song 19 and explore why it is considered a classic.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unknown person, saying "there is no place / here, whence flown / you & I / may be gathered." The use of the word "whence" immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it is an archaic word that is rarely used in modern language. This word choice suggests that the speaker is looking back to a time long ago, perhaps to a time when things were simpler and more straightforward.
The next line, "for this journey, where the / even sun / sinks or rises on / the other side," further emphasizes the idea that the speaker is on a journey. The use of the word "even" suggests that the journey is long and arduous, and the fact that the sun is rising and setting on the other side implies that the speaker is in a foreign land.
The third line, "there is no place / here, whence flown," is repeated from the first line, which creates a sense of circularity and repetition. This repetition is a common theme throughout the Dream Songs collection, and it serves to emphasize the cyclical nature of life and the human experience.
The next line, "you & I / may be gathered," is interesting because it suggests that the speaker is not alone on this journey. The use of the word "gathered" implies that there are others who are also on this journey, and that they may come together at some point.
The next stanza begins with the line, "there is no end / to this journeying." This line reinforces the idea that the speaker is on a journey that has no clear destination or endpoint. The use of the word "journeying" instead of "journey" suggests that the journey is ongoing and never-ending.
The next line, "you come to a place / where the hills are all fog / and the rivers are mist," creates a vivid image of a mysterious and otherworldly landscape. The use of the words "fog" and "mist" suggest that the speaker is in a place that is shrouded in mystery and uncertainty.
The next line, "and the sun is a spot / and the sky is a stain," further emphasizes the idea that the speaker is in a place that is unfamiliar and strange. The use of the words "spot" and "stain" suggest that the sun and sky are not as they should be, and that something is amiss.
The final stanza begins with the line, "there is no end / to this mourning." This line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is grieving or mourning something. The use of the word "mourning" implies that the speaker has lost something or someone, and that they are struggling to come to terms with this loss.
The next line, "death stops all clocks," is a powerful statement that suggests that death is the ultimate end and that it has the power to stop time itself. This line is significant because it reinforces the idea that the speaker is grieving a loss, and that this loss is related to death.
The final two lines of the poem, "but the heart remembers / and endures," are perhaps the most significant. These lines suggest that even though the speaker has experienced loss and grief, their heart still remembers and endures. This idea of endurance and resilience in the face of loss is a common theme throughout the Dream Songs collection, and it serves to emphasize the strength and resilience of the human spirit.
In conclusion, Dream Song 19: Here, whence written by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores themes of journeying, loss, and resilience. The use of repetition, archaic language, and vivid imagery serve to create a powerful and evocative poem that has stood the test of time. The final two lines of the poem, "but the heart remembers / and endures," are particularly significant, as they suggest that even in the face of loss and grief, the human spirit is capable of enduring and persevering.
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