'Dream Song 135: I heard said 'Cats that walk by their wild lone'' by John Berryman
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I heard said 'Cats that walk by their wild lone'
but Henry had need of friends. They disappeared
Shall I follow my dream?
Clothes disappeared in a backward sliding, zones
shot into view, pocked, exact & weird:
who is what he seem?
I will tell you now a story about Speck:
after other cuts, he put the knife in her eye,
one of the eight:
he was troubled, missionary: and Whitman
of the tower murdered his wife & mother
before (mercy-killings) he set out.
Not every shot went in. But most went in:
in just over an hour
with the tumor thudding in his brain
he killed 13, hit 33:
his empty father said he taught him to respect guns
(not persons).
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 135: I heard said 'Cats that walk by their wild lone'
John Berryman's Dream Song 135 is one of the most intriguing poems of the 20th century. The poem paints a surreal picture of a world where cats walk alone in the wilderness, free from social norms and human constraints. Berryman's use of language is masterful, as he weaves together a series of images that are both startling and beautiful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many themes and symbols in Dream Song 135 and analyze the ways in which Berryman uses them to create a powerful work of art.
The Poem's Structure and Style
Before we delve into the poem's meaning, it's important to examine its structure and style. Dream Song 135 is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The lines are short and choppy, creating a staccato rhythm that adds to the poem's dreamlike quality.
Berryman's use of language in Dream Song 135 is also worth noting. The poem is full of neologisms, or made-up words, such as "wild lone" and "felikin." These words add to the poem's surrealism and suggest a world that is not bound by the rules of reality.
The Themes of Isolation and Freedom
At its core, Dream Song 135 is a poem about isolation and freedom. The cats in the poem are free to walk by their wild lone, without the constraints of society or human relationships. They are free to be themselves, without fear of judgment or rejection.
The poem suggests that this kind of freedom comes at a cost. The cats are alone in the wilderness, with no one to keep them company or offer them comfort. They are free, but they are also isolated.
This theme of isolation is reinforced by the poem's structure and style. The short, choppy lines create a sense of fragmentation, as if the poem itself is struggling to hold together. This fragmentation mirrors the cats' isolation, suggesting that freedom and isolation are two sides of the same coin.
The Symbolism of Cats
The cats in Dream Song 135 are more than just animals. They are powerful symbols that represent a variety of different ideas and emotions.
At first glance, the cats might seem to represent freedom and independence. They walk by their wild lone, without the need for human companionship. However, the cats also represent a kind of primal, animalistic instinct that is at odds with human civilization.
This primal instinct is hinted at throughout the poem, as the cats are described in terms that are both beautiful and dangerous. They are "felikin," a neologism that suggests a feral, untamed quality. They walk by their wild lone, suggesting a kind of savage independence that is not bound by social norms or human relationships.
The cats also represent a kind of mystery and unknowability. They are described as walking "catsteps" and speaking in a language that is "peculiar." This suggests that the cats are not quite of this world, and that they exist on a plane beyond human understanding.
The Imagery of the Wilderness
The wilderness in Dream Song 135 is also an important symbol. It represents a kind of freedom that is untamed and uncontrolled. It is a place where the cats can walk without fear of human intervention or societal norms.
However, the wilderness is also a dangerous place. It is full of unknown dangers and hidden threats, such as the "owl's cry" that is mentioned in the poem. This suggests that freedom comes at a cost, and that there is always a price to be paid for walking by one's wild lone.
Conclusion
Dream Song 135 is a powerful poem that explores the themes of isolation, freedom, and the primal instincts that lie beneath human civilization. Berryman's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a surreal world that is both beautiful and dangerous.
The cats in the poem are powerful symbols, representing a kind of primal, animalistic instinct that is at odds with human civilization. The wilderness is also an important symbol, representing a kind of untamed freedom that comes at a cost.
Overall, Dream Song 135 is a stunning work of art that deserves to be studied and analyzed for generations to come. Its themes and symbols are timeless, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 135: I heard said 'Cats that walk by their wild lone' is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of Berryman's Dream Songs, which is a collection of 385 poems that were published in 1969. The Dream Songs are known for their complex structure, surreal imagery, and the use of a persona named Henry. Dream Song 135 is one of the most famous poems in the collection, and it has been analyzed by many literary scholars.
The poem begins with the line "I heard said 'Cats that walk by their wild lone'". This line is a reference to a popular saying that cats are independent creatures that prefer to be alone. The use of the word "wild" suggests that these cats are not domesticated and live in the wilderness. The persona in the poem is listening to someone who is talking about these cats, and he is intrigued by what he hears.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "One wet night". This line sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The persona is outside on a wet night, and he sees a cat walking towards him. The cat is described as "black and loud", which suggests that it is a wild cat that is not afraid of humans. The persona is fascinated by the cat and follows it as it walks by.
The third stanza of the poem is where the surreal imagery begins. The persona sees the cat "leap up to the moon" and disappear. This image is impossible in reality, but it adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem. The moon is often associated with mystery and the unknown, and the fact that the cat can leap up to it suggests that it has some kind of supernatural power.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where the persona's thoughts start to wander. He thinks about the cat's "wild lone" and how it is different from his own life. The use of the word "lone" suggests that the cat is alone by choice, whereas the persona may be alone because he has no other choice. The persona is envious of the cat's freedom and wishes that he could be like it.
The fifth stanza of the poem is where the persona's thoughts turn to death. He thinks about how the cat will die someday, and how he will die someday too. The use of the word "someday" suggests that death is inevitable, and that it is something that everyone must face. The persona is afraid of death, and he wonders what will happen to him after he dies.
The sixth and final stanza of the poem is where the persona comes to a realization. He realizes that he cannot be like the cat, and that he must accept his own life. The use of the word "accept" suggests that the persona has come to terms with his own mortality, and that he is no longer afraid of death. The poem ends with the line "I am not a cat", which suggests that the persona has accepted his own identity and is no longer envious of the cat's freedom.
In conclusion, Dream Song 135: I heard said 'Cats that walk by their wild lone' is a complex and surreal poem that explores themes of freedom, mortality, and identity. The use of surreal imagery and the persona of Henry add to the dreamlike quality of the poem. The poem is a reflection on the human condition and the struggle to accept one's own mortality. Overall, Dream Song 135 is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to captivate readers and inspire literary scholars.
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