'Dream Song 111: I miss him. When I get back to camp' by John Berryman


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I miss him. When I get back to camp
I'll dig him up. Well, he can prop & watch,
can't he, pink or blue,
and I will talk to him. I miss him. Slams,
grand or any, aren't for the tundra much.
One face-card will do.

It's marvellous how four sit down—beyond
my thought how many tables sometimes are
in forgotten clubs
across & down the world. Your fever conned
us, pal. Will it work out, my solitaire?
The blubber's safe in the tubs,

the dogs are still, & all's well . . . nine long times
I loosed & buried. Then I shot him dead.
I don't remember why.
The Captain of the supply ship, playing for dimes,
thinks I killed him. The black cards are red
and where's the others? I—

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 111: I miss him. When I get back to camp

John Berryman's "Dream Song 111: I miss him. When I get back to camp" is a powerful and complex poem that explores themes of loss, memory, and regret. The poem is part of Berryman's larger "Dream Songs" sequence, which consists of 385 poems that are deeply personal and often introspective.

At the heart of "Dream Song 111" is a sense of longing and sadness. The speaker of the poem is missing someone who has passed away, and this sense of loss is intensified by the fact that the speaker is in a place that reminds them of the person they miss. The poem is also marked by a sense of confusion and disorientation, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with their emotions and memories.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Berryman's writing is highly poetic and evocative, and he uses a variety of techniques to create a sense of movement and fluidity in the language. For example, the poem is filled with repeated sounds and rhythms, which create a sense of musicality and rhythm. Additionally, Berryman is highly skilled at using imagery and metaphor to convey complex emotions and ideas.

Another key theme in the poem is memory. The speaker is haunted by memories of the person they miss, and these memories are often painful and difficult to confront. At times, the memories seem to overwhelm the speaker, and they struggle to make sense of them. Berryman also explores the idea that memories are not always reliable, and that they can be distorted or changed over time.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the way it captures the feeling of grief and loss. The speaker is clearly struggling with their emotions, and the poem is filled with a sense of rawness and vulnerability. Berryman is highly skilled at capturing the way in which grief can distort and change our perception of the world around us, and he uses language to create a sense of disorientation and confusion.

Overall, "Dream Song 111: I miss him. When I get back to camp" is a deeply moving and powerful poem that explores the complex emotions of loss and grief. Through its highly poetic language and vivid imagery, the poem captures the way in which memories can both comfort and torment us, and it offers a powerful meditation on the nature of memory and the human experience of loss.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 111: I miss him. When I get back to camp 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, symbols, and literary devices.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his longing for someone he misses. The first line, "I miss him," sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker's emotions are raw and intense, and the reader can feel the depth of his longing. The use of the word "him" is interesting because it does not specify who the speaker is missing. This ambiguity adds to the poem's universal appeal, as anyone can relate to missing someone they love.

The second line, "When I get back to camp," provides context for the poem. The speaker is away from home, and he is looking forward to returning to his camp. This line also sets up the poem's structure, as each stanza begins with the same phrase, "When I get back to camp." This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and continuity, emphasizing the speaker's longing for home.

In the second stanza, the speaker describes his surroundings. He mentions the "dusty trees" and the "hot wind," painting a picture of a harsh and unforgiving landscape. This description contrasts with the speaker's longing for home, which is a place of comfort and safety. The use of imagery in this stanza is powerful, as it creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The third stanza is where the poem's themes begin to emerge. The speaker talks about "the old men" who "sit around the fire." These old men represent the speaker's past, and their presence reminds him of the people he has left behind. The use of the word "old" suggests that the speaker is looking back on his life, perhaps with regret or nostalgia.

The fourth stanza is where the poem's symbolism comes into play. The speaker talks about "the stars" and how they "burn like eyes." This image is powerful because it suggests that the stars are watching over the speaker, almost like a guardian angel. The stars represent hope and guidance, and their presence provides comfort to the speaker.

The fifth stanza is where the poem's structure becomes significant. The repetition of the phrase "When I get back to camp" creates a sense of anticipation and longing. The reader can feel the speaker's desire to return home, and the repetition emphasizes the importance of this desire.

The final stanza is where the poem's meaning becomes clear. The speaker says, "I'll be with him again, / as when I was." This line suggests that the person the speaker is missing is someone from his past, perhaps a childhood friend or a family member. The use of the word "again" suggests that the speaker has been away from this person for a long time, and he is looking forward to reuniting with them.

Overall, Dream Song 111: I miss him. When I get back to camp is a powerful poem that explores themes of longing, nostalgia, and hope. The use of repetition, imagery, and symbolism creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind, and the poem's structure emphasizes the speaker's desire to return home. This poem is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet, and it remains a classic of modern literature.

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