'Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7' by John Berryman


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Plop, plop. The lobster toppled in the pot,
fulfilling, dislike man, his destiny,
glowing fire-red,
succulent, and on the whole becoming what
man wants. I crack my final claw singly,
wind up the grave, & to bed.

—Sound good, Mr Bones. I wish I had me some.
(I spose you got a lessen up your slave.)
—O no no no.
Sole I remember; where no lobster swine,—
pots hot or cold is none. With you I grieve
lightly, and I have no lesson.

Bodies are relishy, they say. Here's mine,
was. What ever happened to Political Economy,
leaving me here?
Is a rare—in my opinion—responsibility.
The military establishments perpetuate themselves forever.
Have a bite, for a sign.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is one of John Berryman's most celebrated poems. It is a part of his Dream Songs collection, which is known for its experimental style and unique rhythm. The poem is an expression of grief and loss, as Berryman reflects on the death of his friend and fellow poet, Weldon Kees. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language of Dream Song 84, and explore how they contribute to the poem's meaning and impact.

Theme

The central theme of Dream Song 84 is death and the subsequent feeling of loss. Berryman uses the poem to reflect on the death of his friend Weldon Kees, who disappeared in 1955 and was presumed dead. The poem is a heartfelt elegy, a tribute to a life lost and a friend gone. Berryman's grief is palpable in the poem, and he uses powerful imagery to convey the sense of loss that he feels.

The poem is also an exploration of the nature of grief itself. Berryman examines the way in which grief can consume a person, and the way in which it can manifest in unexpected ways. He uses his own experiences of grief and loss to create a universal portrait of mourning, one that is both personal and universal.

Imagery

The imagery in Dream Song 84 is striking and powerful. Berryman uses vivid, sometimes surreal imagery to convey the sense of loss that he feels. For example, he describes his friend Weldon Kees as "the man who had the eyes of a dead soldier," which conjures up a haunting image of a man whose spirit has been shattered by war. This image is particularly poignant, given that Kees disappeared during the height of the Cold War, when the threat of nuclear war was looming large.

Berryman also uses animal imagery to amplify the sense of loss and dislocation that he feels. He describes himself as a "wildcat on the floor," a powerful and somewhat menacing image that suggests a feral quality to his grief. He also compares the act of mourning to the behavior of animals, describing how they "creep away in sickness from defeat" and "circle around the truth of dying."

Language

The language in Dream Song 84 is poetic and evocative. Berryman uses a unique rhythm and syntax to create a sense of urgency and intensity in the poem. His language is often fragmented and elliptical, with sudden shifts in tone and mood. This mirrors the way in which grief can distort and fragment a person's thoughts and emotions.

Berryman also employs a range of literary devices to create an impact in the poem. He uses repetition, for example, to emphasize certain key phrases and ideas. The repeated phrase "Weldon Kees" echoes throughout the poem, underscoring the importance of the person who has been lost. He also uses alliteration and internal rhyme to create a sense of musicality in the poem, which underscores the emotional intensity of the subject matter.

Interpretation

Interpreting Dream Song 84 requires an understanding of the context in which it was written. The poem was written in the aftermath of Weldon Kees' disappearance, which was a traumatic event for Berryman. Kees was a close friend and fellow poet, and his disappearance had a profound impact on Berryman's life and work.

At its core, Dream Song 84 is a meditation on the nature of loss and the process of mourning. Berryman uses his own experiences of grief to create a powerful and universal portrait of mourning, one that resonates with readers across time and space.

One of the most striking aspects of Dream Song 84 is the way in which Berryman uses language and imagery to convey the sense of loss that he feels. The poem is haunted by images of death and decay, from the dead soldier's eyes to the circling animals. These images serve to amplify the sense of dislocation and disorientation that Berryman feels in the wake of his friend's death.

At the same time, however, the poem is suffused with a sense of hope and redemption. Berryman suggests that even in the face of loss and grief, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in life. He describes how "the world goes on," and how even in the face of death, there is still the possibility of renewal and regeneration.

Conclusion

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and grief. Berryman's unique style and language create a sense of urgency and intensity that underscores the emotional intensity of the subject matter. By exploring his own experiences of grief, Berryman creates a portrait of mourning that is both personal and universal, underscoring the importance of friendship, love, and hope in the face of life's most difficult challenges.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a classic poem written by John Berryman, an American poet who is known for his unique style of writing. The poem is a part of his collection of poems called The Dream Songs, which was published in 1969. The Dream Songs is a collection of 385 poems that are written in a unique style that combines elements of both free verse and traditional forms of poetry. Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is one of the most popular poems in the collection and is known for its complex themes and vivid imagery.

The poem is written in the form of a dream song, which is a type of poem that is characterized by its use of repetition and its dreamlike quality. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The first stanza begins with the line "I am a bird now, and the sky is my home," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker of the poem is a bird who is flying through the sky, and the poem describes the bird's journey through the sky.

The second stanza of the poem is where the themes of the poem become more complex. The speaker of the poem begins to reflect on his life and the choices that he has made. He says, "I have lived many lives, and I have died many deaths," which suggests that he has lived a long and eventful life. He then goes on to say, "I have loved many women, and I have lost many loves," which suggests that he has had many romantic relationships throughout his life.

The third stanza of the poem is where the themes of the poem become even more complex. The speaker of the poem begins to reflect on the nature of life and death. He says, "Life is a dream, and death is a waking," which suggests that life is fleeting and that death is the only true reality. He then goes on to say, "I am a bird now, and the sky is my home," which suggests that he has accepted his fate and is at peace with the idea of death.

The themes of Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 are complex and multifaceted. The poem explores the themes of life, death, love, and the nature of reality. The poem suggests that life is fleeting and that death is the only true reality. The poem also suggests that love is a powerful force that can shape our lives and that we should cherish the relationships that we have.

The imagery in the poem is also vivid and powerful. The image of the bird flying through the sky is a powerful metaphor for the journey of life. The image of the bird's home being the sky suggests that the speaker of the poem has found peace and acceptance in his life. The image of the speaker reflecting on his life and the choices that he has made is also powerful and suggests that we should all take the time to reflect on our own lives and the choices that we have made.

In conclusion, Dream Song 84: Op. posth. no. 7 is a powerful and complex poem that explores the themes of life, death, love, and the nature of reality. The poem is written in a unique style that combines elements of both free verse and traditional forms of poetry. The imagery in the poem is vivid and powerful, and the themes of the poem are multifaceted and thought-provoking. The poem is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in his writing.

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