'Dream Song 32: And where, friend Quo, lay you hiding' by John Berryman


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And where, friend Quo, lay you hiding
across malignant half my years or so?
One evil faery
it was workt night, with amoroso pleasing
menace, the panes shake
where Lie-by-the-fire is waiting for his cream.

A tiger by a torrent in rain, wind,
narrows fiend's eyes for grief
in an old ink-on-silk,
reminding me of Delphi, and,
friend Quo, once was safe
imagination as sweet milk.

Let all the flowers wither like a party.
And now you have abandoned
own your young & old, the oldest, people
to a solitudinem of mournful communes,
mournful communes.
Status, Status, come home.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 32: And where, friend Quo, lay you hiding

John Berryman's Dream Song 32 is a complex and enigmatic poem that demands careful attention from readers. It is a masterpiece that explores the themes of memory, loss, and the human condition. The poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs, a collection of 385 poems that he wrote over the course of several years.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing his friend Quo, who seems to have disappeared. The speaker is searching for Quo, asking where he is hiding. The poem then takes a surreal turn, as the speaker describes a dream he had in which he was a bird flying over a cemetery. The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the transience of human life and the inevitability of death.

The structure of the poem

One of the most striking features of Dream Song 32 is its structure. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The lines are written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. However, the poem does have a certain musicality to it, with a cadence that is almost hypnotic.

The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker addressing his friend Quo directly. The use of the second person creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy, as if the speaker is speaking directly to the reader. This creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader, as if the reader is being let in on a private conversation.

The themes of the poem

The themes of Dream Song 32 are complex and multilayered. The poem explores the themes of memory, loss, and the human condition. The speaker is searching for his friend Quo, who seems to have disappeared. This can be seen as a metaphor for the loss of a loved one, and the search for meaning in the face of that loss.

The dream that the speaker has in the second stanza is also significant. The image of the bird flying over the cemetery can be seen as a metaphor for the transience of human life. The bird is a symbol of freedom and flight, while the cemetery represents death and finality. The juxtaposition of these two images creates a powerful contrast, highlighting the fleeting nature of human existence.

The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant. The speaker reflects on the inevitability of death, and the fact that all human life is ultimately fleeting. He seems to be grappling with the idea that life is ultimately meaningless, and that all human accomplishments are ultimately insignificant in the face of death.

The language of the poem

The language of Dream Song 32 is complex and richly layered. Berryman uses a range of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. The use of metaphor and symbolism is particularly notable, as Berryman uses these devices to explore the themes of the poem in greater depth.

The use of repetition is also significant. The phrase "and where, friend Quo, lay you hiding" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. The repetition also creates a sense of circularity, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of searching and despair.

Berryman's use of imagery is also noteworthy. The image of the bird flying over the cemetery is particularly powerful, as it creates a sense of movement and freedom in contrast to the stillness and finality of death.

Interpretation of the poem

Dream Song 32 is a complex and enigmatic poem that demands careful interpretation. At its core, the poem seems to be grappling with the themes of memory, loss, and the human condition. The speaker is searching for his friend Quo, who seems to have disappeared, and this can be seen as a metaphor for the search for meaning in the face of loss.

The dream that the speaker has in the second stanza is particularly significant. The image of the bird flying over the cemetery can be seen as a metaphor for the transience of human life, and the inevitability of death. The juxtaposition of the bird and the cemetery creates a powerful contrast, highlighting the fleeting nature of human existence.

The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant. The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea that life is ultimately meaningless, and that all human accomplishments are ultimately insignificant in the face of death. This can be seen as a reflection of the existential angst that many people experience, as they grapple with the meaning of their own lives.

Conclusion

Dream Song 32 is a complex and enigmatic poem that demands careful attention from readers. Its themes of memory, loss, and the human condition are timeless and universal, and its language and imagery are richly layered and complex. It is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today, and its exploration of the human condition remains as relevant today as it was when it was first written.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 32: And where, friend Quo, lay you hiding 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 addressing his friend Quo, asking him where he has been hiding. The use of the word "friend" suggests that the speaker has a close relationship with Quo, and the fact that he is asking where he has been hiding implies that Quo has been absent for some time. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of longing and nostalgia.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's surroundings. He is in a "room" that is "dark" and "cold," and there is a "fire" burning in the "stove." This imagery creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, which is further emphasized by the fact that the speaker is addressing Quo, who is not physically present.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reminisce about his past experiences with Quo. He remembers "the old days" when they used to "play" together and "laugh" together. This nostalgic tone is reinforced by the repetition of the word "remember," which emphasizes the speaker's longing for the past.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker begins to reflect on his current state of mind. He describes himself as "sick" and "tired," and he feels as though he is "dying." This sense of despair is further emphasized by the repetition of the word "sick," which creates a sense of hopelessness.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker describes a "bird" that is "singing" outside, and he wonders if it is a "sign" from Quo. This imagery is rich in symbolism, and it is open to interpretation. The bird could represent hope or freedom, or it could be a symbol of death and rebirth.

One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a meditation on the nature of friendship and the passage of time. The speaker longs for the past when he and Quo were close, but he is now isolated and alone. The bird at the end of the poem could represent the possibility of renewal and the hope that their friendship can be rekindled.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the human condition. The speaker is sick and tired, and he feels as though he is dying. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the existential angst that many people experience in their lives. The bird at the end of the poem could represent the possibility of transcendence and the hope that there is something beyond the mundane world.

In terms of literary devices, Dream Song 32: And where, friend Quo, lay you hiding is rich in imagery and symbolism. The use of repetition, particularly the repetition of the word "remember," creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. The imagery of the dark and cold room, the burning fire, and the singing bird all contribute to the overall mood of the poem.

In conclusion, Dream Song 32: And where, friend Quo, lay you hiding is a classic poem that explores themes of friendship, time, and the human condition. The poem is rich in symbolism and literary devices, and it is open to interpretation. Whether read as a meditation on the nature of friendship or a reflection on the human condition, this poem is a powerful and evocative work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

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