'Bedtime Story' by Lisel Mueller

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The moon lies on the river
like a drop of oil.
The children come to the banks to be healed
of their wounds and bruises.
The fathers who gave them their wounds and bruises
come to be healed of their rage.
The mothers grow lovely; their faces soften,
the birds in their throats awake.
They all stand hand in hand
and the trees around them,
forever on the verge
of becoming one of them,
stop shuddering and speak their first word.

But that is not the beginning.
It is the end of the story,
and before we come to the end,
the mothers and fathers and children
must find their way to the river,
separately, with no one to guide them.
That is the long, pitiless part,
and it will scare you.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Beauty of Dreams and the Importance of Memory in Lisel Mueller's "Bedtime Story"

"Bedtime Story," written by Lisel Mueller, is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the themes of dreams, memory, and the passage of time. The poem is both a meditation on the importance of remembering our past and a celebration of the power of our imaginations to create a better future. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the deeper meanings of the poem and analyze its structure and language to understand how Mueller's words create such a powerful and moving piece of literature.

The Poem

First, let us take a closer look at the poem itself. "Bedtime Story" is a short, nine-line poem that is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene, with the speaker telling us that she is lying in bed, waiting for sleep to come. The second stanza introduces the central image of the poem: a bird that flies "out of the dark" and into the speaker's room. The third stanza brings the poem to its conclusion, with the speaker reflecting on the bird's message and the power of dreams.

The moon lies on the river
like a drop of oil.
The children come to the banks to be healed
of their terrible loves.

The August night comes down and, as the sun
Sets, the children are singing
Miriam and Moses on the rocks
Their arms raised to the shoulder

Like the wings of a bird
In the aftermath of the race
All night the soft mad children
Anguish their pillows with songs

of brokenness and healing
The moon leans down to listen
And the love-torn children
cry, bring us home, bring us home.

The Themes

The first theme that stands out in this poem is the importance of memory. The children in the poem come to the river banks to be "healed of their terrible loves." This suggests that they are seeking some kind of release from their painful memories of love and loss. The speaker herself is lying in bed, waiting for sleep to come, which is often seen as a time when people's memories and dreams become more vivid. The moon, which is a classic symbol of memory and the past, "lies on the river / like a drop of oil." This image suggests that memories can be both beautiful and dark, like the shimmering reflection of the moon on the water.

The second theme that emerges from the poem is the power of dreams. The bird that flies "out of the dark" and into the speaker's room is a powerful symbol of the imagination and our ability to create new realities in our minds. The bird's message is not explicitly stated, but it is clear that it offers some kind of comfort or hope to the speaker. The children in the poem also seem to find solace in their songs of "brokenness and healing," which suggests that dreaming and imagination can help us cope with our pain and find a way forward.

The third and final theme that we can see in this poem is the passage of time. The August night is described as coming down, and the sun is setting. This suggests that the speaker is approaching the end of something, perhaps a life, a relationship, or simply a day. The children's songs also suggest a kind of urgency or desperation, as though they know that their time is running out. The bird's message, then, can be seen as a reminder that even though time is fleeting, we can still imagine and dream of a better future.

The Structure

Now let's take a closer look at the structure of the poem. As mentioned earlier, the poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains three lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are longer than the second, which creates a kind of rising and falling rhythm. This structure gives the poem a musical quality, as though it is meant to be sung or chanted.

The repetition of certain words and phrases also gives the poem a sense of unity and coherence. The moon is described as "lying on the river / like a drop of oil" in the first line, and then "leaning down to listen" in the last line. This creates a kind of bookending effect, as though the speaker's thoughts have come full circle. Similarly, the phrase "brokenness and healing" is repeated in the last two lines, which reinforces the idea that dreaming and imagination can help us heal from our pain.

The Language

Finally, let us examine the language used in the poem. Mueller's use of imagery is particularly powerful, as she creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind. The moon on the river is a perfect example of this, as is the image of the children with their "arms raised to the shoulder / like the wings of a bird." These images are both beautiful and haunting, and they create a sense of timelessness that is essential to the poem's overall message.

Mueller's use of metaphor is also noteworthy. The bird that flies "out of the dark" and into the speaker's room is a powerful symbol of hope and imagination. The children's songs of "brokenness and healing" are a metaphor for the human condition, in which we all experience pain and suffering, but also have the capacity to heal and grow. These metaphors are not heavy-handed or obvious, but rather subtle and evocative, which makes them all the more effective.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Bedtime Story" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of memory, imagination, and the passage of time. Through its structure and language, the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence that is both comforting and haunting. Mueller's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly powerful, as she creates vivid pictures in the reader's mind and uses subtle metaphors to convey complex ideas. Overall, "Bedtime Story" is a poem that invites us to remember our past, dream of a better future, and find solace in the beauty of the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Bedtime Story: A Poem of Love and Loss

Lisel Mueller's "Bedtime Story" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is a tribute to the poet's mother, who died when Mueller was just a child. It is a poignant reminder of the power of love and the pain of loss, and it captures the essence of what it means to be human.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the poet's relationship with her mother. The first stanza sets the scene, describing the mother's nightly ritual of telling her daughter bedtime stories. The second stanza explores the mother's death and the impact it had on the poet's life. The third and final stanza is a reflection on the mother's legacy and the enduring power of her love.

The first stanza of the poem is a vivid description of the mother's bedtime ritual. The mother tells her daughter stories of "princesses and dragons, / giants and dwarfs, / bluebirds and black forests." The imagery is rich and evocative, and it transports the reader to a magical world of fantasy and imagination. The mother's stories are a source of comfort and security for the young girl, and they create a bond between mother and daughter that is unbreakable.

The second stanza of the poem is a stark contrast to the first. It describes the mother's death and the impact it had on the poet's life. The mother's death is described as a "sudden darkness," and the poet is left feeling lost and alone. The imagery is powerful and emotive, and it captures the raw pain of grief. The poet describes how she "searched for her in the shadows," but she could not find her. The mother's absence is a void that cannot be filled, and the poet is left to grapple with the enormity of her loss.

The third and final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the mother's legacy. The poet describes how the mother's love lives on, even after her death. The mother's stories are still with the poet, and they continue to provide comfort and solace. The poet describes how the mother's love is like a "lamp that burns all night," illuminating the darkness and providing guidance and hope. The mother's legacy is one of love and compassion, and it is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

Overall, "Bedtime Story" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. The poem is a tribute to the poet's mother, and it captures the essence of what it means to be human. The mother's bedtime stories are a source of comfort and security for the young girl, and they create a bond between mother and daughter that is unbreakable. The mother's death is a stark contrast to the first stanza, and it captures the raw pain of grief. The mother's legacy is one of love and compassion, and it is a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

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