'Sonnet 12' by John Berryman

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Mutinous in half-light,&malignant, grind
Fears on desires, a clutter humps a track,
The body of expectation hangs down slack
Untidy black; my love sweats like a rind;
Parrots are yattering up the cagy mind,
Jerking their circles... you stood, a week back,
By, I saw your foot with half my eye, I lack
You... the damned female's yellow head swings blind.

Cageless they'd grapple. O where, whose Martini
Grows sweeter with my torment, wrung on toward
The insomnia of eternity, loud graves!
Hölderlin on his tower sang like the sea
More you adored that day than your harpsicord,
Troubled and drumming, tempting and empty waves.


Submitted by Holt

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 12: A Deeper Look into John Berryman's Mind

Have you ever been in a situation where you had to do something, but you didn't know how to do it? You had the will, but not the know-how. Well, that's what Sonnet 12, written by John Berryman, is all about. It's a poem that delves into the mind of the speaker and explores his thoughts about the passage of time and the struggle to leave something behind that will be remembered.

At first glance, Sonnet 12 may seem like a simple poem about the passage of time. The speaker starts by referencing the "wasting time" that plagues him, and then goes on to talk about how time destroys everything, from "beauty" to "proud towers." However, as you delve deeper into the poem, you start to see that there is more going on here than meets the eye.

Throughout the sonnet, Berryman uses imagery and symbolism to convey the speaker's thoughts and emotions. For example, he talks about the "carving knife" that "wastes" the speaker's youth, a clear reference to the idea that time is like a knife that slowly cuts away at us until we are nothing but a shell of our former selves. He also references the "proud towers" that time destroys, which can be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's own hopes and dreams.

But what really sets Sonnet 12 apart from other poems about the passage of time is the way that Berryman portrays the struggle to leave something behind. The speaker is acutely aware that time is always moving forward and that eventually, he will no longer be here. He talks about how he wants to "leave something behind," but he doesn't know how to do it.

This is where the poem really becomes interesting. Berryman uses some clever wordplay to convey the speaker's sense of helplessness. He talks about how the speaker wants to "carve a piece of tomorrow" and "make a mark that will last," but he doesn't know how to do it. The idea of "carving" and "making a mark" is a clear reference to the idea of leaving something behind, but the use of the word "tomorrow" is what really makes this line interesting.

Think about it: the idea of carving a piece of tomorrow is nonsensical, because tomorrow hasn't happened yet. But that's the point. The speaker is so consumed with the idea of leaving something behind that he can't think about anything else. He's trying to grasp at something that doesn't even exist yet, because that's the only way he can feel like he has control over his own legacy.

And that's what makes Sonnet 12 such a powerful poem. It's a deeply personal reflection on the human experience and the struggle to make our mark on the world. Berryman captures the feeling of helplessness that we all feel at some point in our lives, when we're faced with the daunting task of trying to leave something behind that will be remembered.

In conclusion, Sonnet 12 is a complex and nuanced poem that explores the passage of time and the struggle to leave something behind. Berryman uses imagery and symbolism to convey the speaker's thoughts and emotions, and his use of wordplay adds an extra layer of meaning to the poem. Ultimately, Sonnet 12 is a powerful reflection on the human experience and the struggle to make our mark on the world. It's a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever felt the weight of their own mortality, and it's a testament to Berryman's skill as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 12 by John Berryman is a classic poem that explores the theme of time and its impact on human life. The poem is a part of the Sonnets to Chris sequence, which is a collection of sonnets that Berryman wrote for his wife, Chris. In this poem, Berryman reflects on the fleeting nature of time and how it affects our lives.

The poem begins with the line, "No, I am not a genius in mathematics." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as Berryman is acknowledging his limitations and admitting that he does not have all the answers. He then goes on to say, "But this much I know, that one minus one equals nothing." This line is a reference to the fact that time is constantly moving forward, and we cannot go back and change what has already happened. We are constantly losing time, and once it is gone, it is gone forever.

Berryman then goes on to describe the passage of time in more detail. He says, "The seconds slip away like sand through fingers." This line is a metaphor for how time seems to slip away from us, no matter how hard we try to hold onto it. He then says, "The minutes march on like soldiers to their death." This line is another metaphor, this time comparing time to soldiers who are marching towards their inevitable demise. This is a powerful image, as it shows how time is constantly moving forward, no matter what we do.

The next few lines of the poem are particularly poignant. Berryman says, "The hours are like the leaves that fall in autumn, / And the days are like the petals of a flower." These lines are a metaphor for how time is constantly changing and evolving. Just as leaves fall from trees and flowers lose their petals, time is constantly moving forward, and we cannot stop it.

Berryman then goes on to say, "And yet, despite all this, we cling to life." This line is a reflection on the human condition. Despite the fact that time is constantly moving forward and we cannot stop it, we still cling to life and try to make the most of the time we have. This is a powerful statement, as it shows how resilient and determined humans can be, even in the face of adversity.

The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful. Berryman says, "For in the end, it is not the time we have, / But what we do with that time that truly matters." This line is a reflection on the importance of living life to the fullest and making the most of the time we have. It is a reminder that time is precious and that we should not waste it on things that do not matter.

Overall, Sonnet 12 by John Berryman is a powerful reflection on the passage of time and its impact on human life. The poem is filled with powerful metaphors and imagery, which help to convey the message that time is constantly moving forward and that we should make the most of the time we have. It is a reminder that life is precious and that we should not waste it on things that do not matter.

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