'Dream Song 13: God bless Henry' by John Berryman

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God bless Henry. He lived like a rat,
with a thatch of hair on his head
in the beginning.
Henry was not a coward. Much.
He never deserted anything; instead
he stuck, when things like pity were thinning.

So may be Henry was a human being.
Let's investigate that.
... We did; okay.
He is a human American man.
That's true. My lass is braking.
My brass is aching. Come & diminish me, & map my way.

God's Henry's enemy. We're in business ... Why,
what business must be clear.
A cornering.
I couldn't feel more like it. —Mr. Bones,
as I look on the saffron sky,
you strikes me as ornery.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 13: God bless Henry by John Berryman

Dream Song 13: "God bless Henry" is a poem by John Berryman, a renowned American poet. The poem was published in his collection, "77 Dream Songs," in 1964. The poem is a part of a series of 385 Dream Songs, which Berryman wrote in the 1950s and 1960s. The Dream Songs are known for their complex style and multifaceted meaning.

At first glance, Dream Song 13 may seem like a simple poem, but a deeper analysis reveals the complexity and depth of the work. The poem consists of three stanzas of six lines each, with irregular rhyme and meter. The speaker of the poem is Henry, a fictional character created by Berryman, who appears in many of the Dream Songs.

Summary

Dream Song 13 begins with Henry lamenting the loss of his father, who died when Henry was young. Henry expresses his desire for his father to return and guide him through life. He also reflects on his own mortality and the inevitability of death. In the second stanza, Henry turns his attention to his wife, who has left him. He expresses his love for her and his desire for her to return. He also reflects on the difficulty of maintaining a relationship and the pain of heartbreak.

In the final stanza, Henry confronts God, asking for His blessing. He questions the purpose of life and the reasons for his suffering. Henry concludes the poem by acknowledging his own insignificance in the universe and the futility of trying to understand the mysteries of life.

Themes

One of the central themes of Dream Song 13 is the search for meaning in life. Henry is struggling to find a purpose and direction in his life. He is grappling with questions of mortality, love, and the meaning of existence. The poem can be read as an existential meditation, exploring the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world.

Another theme of the poem is the complexity of relationships. Henry's reflections on his wife reveal the complexity of love and the pain of heartbreak. The poem suggests that love is not a simple emotion but a complex and multifaceted experience. Henry's desire for his wife to return suggests that he is willing to endure the pain of heartbreak for the sake of love.

The poem also touches on themes of loss and grief. Henry is mourning the loss of his father and his wife. His desire for his father's return suggests that he is still grappling with the trauma of his father's death. The poem suggests that grief is a universal human experience and that it can shape our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Interpretation

Dream Song 13 is a complex and multifaceted poem that can be interpreted in many ways. One possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection on the human condition and the struggle to find meaning in life. Henry's reflections on mortality and the purpose of life suggest that he is grappling with existential questions. The poem can be read as a meditation on the human experience and the search for meaning in a chaotic and unpredictable world.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on love and relationships. Henry's reflections on his wife reveal the complexity of love and the pain of heartbreak. The poem suggests that love is not a simple emotion but a complex and multifaceted experience. Henry's desire for his wife to return suggests that he is willing to endure the pain of heartbreak for the sake of love.

The final stanza of the poem can be read as a confrontation with God. Henry questions the purpose of life and the reasons for his suffering. He acknowledges his own insignificance in the universe and the futility of trying to understand the mysteries of life. This interpretation of the poem suggests that it is a meditation on faith and the human struggle to find meaning in a world that often seems incomprehensible.

Style and Structure

One of the most striking features of Dream Song 13 is its style and structure. The poem consists of three stanzas of six lines each, with irregular rhyme and meter. The irregular structure of the poem reflects the chaos and unpredictability of the human experience. The irregular rhyme scheme also suggests that the poem is not meant to be read as a traditional narrative but as a meditation on the human condition.

The use of repetition is another notable feature of the poem. The repeated phrase "God bless" in the final stanza suggests a desire for resolution or comfort. The repetition of the phrase "my father" in the first stanza emphasizes Henry's longing for his father's guidance. The repetition of certain words and phrases throughout the poem creates a sense of unity and coherence.

Conclusion

Dream Song 13: "God bless Henry" is a complex and multifaceted poem that explores themes of love, loss, grief, and the search for meaning in life. The poem's style and structure reflect the chaos and unpredictability of the human experience. The poem's ambiguous and multifaceted meaning invites the reader to explore their own interpretations and reflections on the human condition. John Berryman's Dream Songs, including Dream Song 13, are considered some of the most significant works of American poetry from the 20th century.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 13: God bless Henry by John Berryman is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and powerful imagery. This poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which is known for its complex and often surreal themes. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind Dream Song 13 and explore the significance of its themes.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a character named Henry. The speaker says, "God bless Henry, he's no cleverer than I am." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with self-deprecating humor and a sense of confusion. The speaker seems to be struggling with his own identity and his place in the world.

The next few lines of the poem describe Henry's appearance. The speaker says that Henry is "stouter than I am, / Nor more sagacious, nor more sagacious." This repetition of the phrase "nor more sagacious" emphasizes the speaker's belief that he and Henry are equals. However, the speaker also seems to be envious of Henry's physical appearance, as he describes him as "stouter" than himself.

The poem then takes a surreal turn as the speaker describes a dream he had about Henry. In the dream, Henry is "at the helm of a typewriter" and is "writing a poem, or a letter." This image is significant because it suggests that Henry is in control of his own destiny, while the speaker is not. The typewriter also symbolizes the power of language and the written word.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's own struggles with writing. He says, "I lack the wit to decipher what you mean." This line suggests that the speaker is struggling to understand the meaning behind Henry's writing. The speaker also says that he is "stuck in the middle of this page," which suggests that he is struggling to find his own voice as a writer.

The poem then takes another surreal turn as the speaker describes a scene in which he and Henry are "driving a wagon through streets crowded with people." This image is significant because it suggests that the speaker and Henry are on a journey together, but they are surrounded by chaos and confusion. The speaker also says that he is "driving the horses," which suggests that he is in control of the journey, but he is not sure where they are going.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker describes a scene in which he and Henry are "in a room without a door." This image is significant because it suggests that the speaker and Henry are trapped, both physically and metaphorically. The speaker also says that he is "trying to think of a way out," but he is unable to do so.

The poem ends with the speaker addressing Henry once again. He says, "God bless Henry, there's something in the air." This line suggests that the speaker senses that something is about to happen, but he is not sure what it is. The poem ends on a note of uncertainty and confusion, which is a common theme throughout the Dream Songs collection.

In conclusion, Dream Song 13: God bless Henry by John Berryman is a powerful and complex poem that explores themes of identity, writing, and the human condition. The poem is filled with surreal imagery and self-deprecating humor, which adds to its unique style. The poem's themes are universal and timeless, and they continue to resonate with readers today. Overall, Dream Song 13 is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and it deserves to be celebrated for its unique style and powerful themes.

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