'Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible' by John Berryman
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
I am, outside. Incredible panic rules.
People are blowing and beating each other without mercy.
Drinks are boiling. Iced
drinks are boiling. The worse anyone feels, the worse
treated he is. Fools elect fools.
A harmless man at an intersection said, under his breath, "Christ!"
That word, so spoken, affected the vision
of, when they trod to work next day, shopkeepers
who went and were fitted for glasses.
Enjoyed they then an appearance of love & law.
Millenia whift & waft—one, one—er, er. . .
Their glasses were taken from them, & they saw.
Man has undertaken the top job of all,
son fin. Good luck.
I myself walked at the funeral of tenderness.
Followed other deaths. Among the last,
like the memory of a lovely fuck,
was: Do, ut des.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible By John Berryman
John Berryman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for his unique style of poetry that is often characterized by its confessional nature and the use of his alter ego, Henry. In his poem, "Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible," Berryman explores the theme of identity and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The poem, published in 1964 as part of the collection, "77 Dream Songs," is a masterpiece of modern American poetry that combines the poet's personal experience, history, and imagination.
The Poem
I am, outside. Incredible
panic rules me & a thought that maybe, inside, you don't exist
lyrically. I haven't worked it out.
Down here, the penalty
of Self is heavy. What's he, what's she
to me, or me to them?
Unlovable. But I tell someone
within me that I love him.
nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
How easy to be oneself
if one knows what to do with oneself.
One does not know what to do with oneself.
It is a short and simple poem, consisting of only ten lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter. The use of enjambment, the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, creates a sense of urgency and anxiety, as if the speaker is struggling to hold on to his thoughts and emotions.
Interpretation
The poem is a reflection of the speaker's inner turmoil, his struggle to find his place in the world, and his fear of being alone. The line "panic rules me" sets the tone for the poem, as the speaker confesses to feeling overwhelmed and helpless. The use of the word "incredible" in the title emphasizes the speaker's disbelief and shock at his situation.
The speaker's anxiety and fear are compounded by the thought that "maybe, inside, you don't exist lyrically." This line is a reference to the idea of the poet's muse, the source of inspiration for his poetry. The speaker is unsure if his muse exists, or if he is simply creating his own inspiration. This uncertainty adds to the speaker's feelings of isolation and loneliness.
The penalty of "Self" in the second stanza refers to the speaker's struggle with his own identity. He questions his relationship with others, asking "what's he, what's she to me, or me to them?" The repetition of the word "me" emphasizes the speaker's self-centeredness and his inability to connect with others. He feels unlovable, but he tells someone within himself that he loves him. This internal dialogue highlights the speaker's fragmented sense of self and his need for self-affirmation.
The final stanza of the poem is the most hopeful, as the speaker acknowledges that "nothing is hurt; nothing is lost." This line suggests that the speaker has come to terms with his situation and has found a way to accept himself. However, the final lines of the poem also emphasize the speaker's uncertainty and confusion. He admits that he does not know what to do with himself, indicating that his struggle with identity is ongoing.
Analysis
The poem is a powerful exploration of the human condition and the struggle to find one's place in the world. The speaker's anxiety and fear are palpable, as he confronts his own sense of isolation and loneliness. The use of enjambment creates a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is struggling to hold on to his thoughts and emotions.
The poem is also an example of Berryman's unique style of poetry, which blends personal experience, history, and imagination. The use of the alter ego, Henry, is a hallmark of Berryman's work and adds a confessional tone to the poem. The use of the term "Self" in the second stanza is a reference to the Buddhist concept of selflessness, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. This concept is central to Berryman's work and is reflected in his use of the alter ego.
The poem also highlights the importance of self-acceptance and self-love. The speaker's internal dialogue, in which he tells himself that he loves him, is a powerful affirmation of the need for self-affirmation. The final lines of the poem suggest that the speaker has found a way to accept himself, but the admission that he does not know what to do with himself indicates that his struggle with identity is ongoing.
Conclusion
"Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible" is a masterful poem that explores the theme of identity and the struggle to find one's place in the world. Berryman's unique style of poetry, which blends personal experience, history, and imagination, is evident in the poem. The use of the alter ego, Henry, adds a confessional tone to the poem, while the use of enjambment creates a sense of urgency and anxiety. The poem highlights the importance of self-acceptance and self-love, but also emphasizes the ongoing struggle with identity. Overall, "Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores the themes of identity, isolation, and the search for meaning in life. In this 36-line poem, Berryman uses vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a unique structure to convey his message. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of the poem and their significance.
The poem begins with the speaker declaring, "I am, outside. Incredible." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker is immediately positioned as an outsider. The use of the word "incredible" is interesting, as it can be interpreted in different ways. It could be seen as a positive affirmation of the speaker's uniqueness, or it could be interpreted as a sarcastic comment on the speaker's isolation.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's surroundings. He is outside, in a "green world," surrounded by trees and grass. The use of nature imagery is significant, as it contrasts with the speaker's isolation. Nature is often associated with life and growth, while the speaker is alone and disconnected from others.
The speaker then describes himself as a "man of wood," which is a metaphor for his emotional detachment. Wood is a hard, durable material that is often used to build structures, but it is also lifeless and unfeeling. By describing himself as a man of wood, the speaker is acknowledging his emotional numbness and his inability to connect with others.
The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's attempts to find meaning in his life. He says that he has "looked for the key / to the kingdom of suicide," which is a powerful metaphor for his search for a way out of his emotional pain. Suicide is often seen as a way to escape from the difficulties of life, and the speaker is acknowledging that he has considered this option.
However, the speaker then says that he has "failed," and that he is "still alive." This line is significant, as it shows that the speaker has not given up on life completely. Despite his struggles, he is still trying to find a way to live and to connect with others.
The poem then takes a surreal turn, as the speaker describes himself as a "man of glass." This metaphor is interesting, as glass is a fragile material that can be easily broken. By describing himself as a man of glass, the speaker is acknowledging his vulnerability and his need for protection.
The final lines of the poem describe the speaker's desire to connect with others. He says that he wants to "touch each thing," which is a metaphor for his desire to connect with the world around him. He also says that he wants to "be touched," which is a metaphor for his desire to be loved and accepted by others.
Overall, Dream Song 46: I am, outside. Incredible is a powerful poem that explores the themes of identity, isolation, and the search for meaning in life. Berryman's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a surreal and haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the poem is finished. The poem is a testament to the human experience, and it reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope for connection and meaning.
Editor Recommended Sites
Cloud Governance - GCP Cloud Covernance Frameworks & Cloud Governance Software: Best practice and tooling around Cloud GovernanceRun Kubernetes: Kubernetes multicloud deployment for stateful and stateless data, and LLMs
Best Strategy Games - Highest Rated Strategy Games & Top Ranking Strategy Games: Find the best Strategy games of all time
Skforecast: Site dedicated to the skforecast framework
Changelog - Dev Change Management & Dev Release management: Changelog best practice for developers
Recommended Similar Analysis
My Pretty Rose Tree by William Blake analysisWeakest Thing, The by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
Whispers of Immortality by Thomas Stearns Eliot analysis
Mr. Mistoffelees by T.S. Eliot analysis
Mazeppa by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
To Althea From Prison. by Richard Lovelace analysis
A Lover's Complaint by William Shakespeare analysis
Cinderella by Anne Sexton analysis
Never Give All The Heart by William Butler Yeats analysis
Pear Tree by H.D. analysis