'Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages' by John Berryman


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He published his girl's bottom in staid pages
of an old weekly. Where will next his rages
ridiculous Henry land?
Tranquil & chaste, de-hammocked, he descended—
upon which note the fable should have ended—
towards the ground, and

while fable wound itself upon him thick
and coats upon his tongue formed, white, terrific:
he stretched out still.
Assembled bands to do obsequious music
at hopeless noon. He bayed before he obeyed,
doing at last their will.

This seemed perhaps one of the best of dogs
during his barking. Many thronged & lapped
at his delicious stone.
Cats to a distance kept—one of their own—
having in mind that down he lay & napped
in the realm of whiskers & fogs.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages by John Berryman

Introduction

John Berryman’s poem "Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages" is a complex piece of literature that requires a close reading and analysis to understand fully. The poem is essentially a meditation on the nature of art and its relationship with life, love, and desire. It is a poem that raises many questions about the relationship between the artist and his subject, and between the artist and his audience.

Analysis

The poem begins with the narrator reflecting on a painting he has seen in a museum. The painting depicts a woman’s bottom, which has been "published in staid pages." The language used here is significant, as it suggests that the painting has been transformed from a living, breathing woman into a static object. The use of the word "staid" is particularly interesting, as it implies that the painting has lost its vitality and energy.

The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the artist who created the painting. The narrator imagines the artist as a man who is "sick of himself" and who seeks to escape from his own life by creating art. The language used here is particularly striking, as it suggests that the artist is struggling with his own sense of identity and purpose. The fact that he is "sick of himself" implies that he is disillusioned with his own life and seeks to find meaning and purpose through his art.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of desire. The narrator imagines the artist as a man who is driven by his desire for the woman he has painted. The language used here is particularly sensual, as it suggests that the artist is obsessed with the woman’s body and seeks to possess it through his art. The fact that the woman is depicted only from the waist down is significant, as it implies that the artist is not interested in her as a whole person, but only as a sexual object.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the audience. The narrator imagines the people who come to the museum to see the painting, and suggests that they are all "sick of themselves" in the same way that the artist is. The language used here is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the audience is seeking to find meaning and purpose in their own lives through their engagement with art. The fact that the painting is described as "staid" once again is significant, as it implies that the audience is seeking a sense of stability and order in their own lives.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly enigmatic. The narrator describes the painting as a "dumb-lipped angel," and suggests that it has the power to transform the lives of those who see it. The language used here is particularly mystical, as it suggests that the painting has a transcendent quality that can lift people out of their own lives and into a higher realm of experience. The fact that the painting is described as an "angel" is significant, as it implies that it has a spiritual dimension that transcends the material world.

Interpretation

"Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages" is a poem that raises many questions about the nature of art and its relationship with life, love, and desire. At its heart, the poem is a meditation on the power of art to transform people’s lives.

The central theme of the poem is the relationship between the artist and his subject. The fact that the woman’s bottom has been "published in staid pages" suggests that the artist has transformed his subject from a living, breathing woman into a static object. This raises questions about the ethics of art and its relationship with the people it depicts.

The poem also raises questions about the relationship between the artist and his audience. The fact that the painting is described as "staid" suggests that the audience is seeking a sense of stability and order in their own lives. This raises questions about the role of art in society and its relationship with people’s emotional and psychological needs.

Finally, the poem raises questions about the relationship between art and spirituality. The fact that the painting is described as a "dumb-lipped angel" suggests that it has a transcendent quality that can lift people out of their own lives and into a higher realm of experience. This raises questions about the nature of art and its relationship with people’s spiritual and metaphysical needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages" is a complex and thought-provoking poem that raises important questions about the nature of art and its relationship with life, love, and desire. It is a poem that challenges our assumptions about the role of art in society and its relationship with people’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. It is a poem that invites us to reflect on our own engagement with art and to ask ourselves what role it plays in our own lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. Dream Song 122 is a poem that has been analyzed and discussed by literary enthusiasts for decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line, "He published his girl's bottom in staid pages." This line immediately catches the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The word "published" suggests that the girl's bottom has been put on display for the world to see. The use of the word "staid" suggests that the pages on which the girl's bottom has been published are serious and respectable. This contrast between the girl's bottom and the serious pages on which it has been published creates a sense of tension and intrigue.

The second line of the poem reads, "He sent her around the world in a glass coach." This line further emphasizes the idea that the girl is being put on display. The use of the phrase "glass coach" suggests that the girl is being transported in a vehicle that is meant to be seen through. This creates a sense of vulnerability for the girl, as she is exposed to the world around her.

The third line of the poem reads, "That went through forests, over lakes." This line creates a sense of movement and adventure. The use of the word "forests" suggests that the girl is traveling through a wild and untamed landscape. The use of the word "lakes" suggests that the girl is traveling through a serene and peaceful landscape. This contrast between the wild and the peaceful creates a sense of excitement and anticipation.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "A region like 'this'." The use of the word "this" suggests that the region through which the girl is traveling is undefined and unknown. This creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, as the reader is left to imagine what kind of region the girl is traveling through.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "She wore no knickers." This line is perhaps the most provocative line in the poem. The use of the word "knickers" suggests that the girl is not wearing any underwear. This creates a sense of scandal and impropriety. The fact that the girl is not wearing any underwear suggests that she is willing to be exposed and vulnerable.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "He showed us what he could do." This line suggests that the person who published the girl's bottom is proud of what he has done. The use of the word "showed" suggests that the person is displaying his work for others to see. This creates a sense of arrogance and self-importance.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "And I lay awake all night." This line suggests that the speaker of the poem is unable to sleep because of what he has seen. The fact that the speaker is unable to sleep suggests that he is disturbed by what he has seen. This creates a sense of unease and discomfort.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "And I thought of the girl." This line suggests that the speaker is thinking about the girl who has been put on display. The fact that the speaker is thinking about the girl suggests that he is empathetic towards her. This creates a sense of compassion and understanding.

The ninth line of the poem reads, "And I wondered if she was happy." This line suggests that the speaker is concerned about the girl's well-being. The fact that the speaker is wondering if the girl is happy suggests that he is aware of the potential harm that can come from being put on display. This creates a sense of empathy and concern.

The final line of the poem reads, "And I asked myself why." This line suggests that the speaker is questioning the motives behind the person who published the girl's bottom. The fact that the speaker is asking himself why suggests that he is trying to understand the reasoning behind such an act. This creates a sense of curiosity and intrigue.

In conclusion, Dream Song 122: He published his girl's bottom in staid pages is a poem that explores the themes of vulnerability, exposure, and empathy. The poem uses provocative language and imagery to create a sense of tension and intrigue. The fact that the poem has been analyzed and discussed for decades is a testament to its significance and impact. John Berryman's Dream Songs collection is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and Dream Song 122 is a shining example of his unique style and vision.

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