'Dream Song 34: My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide' by John Berryman

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My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide
in the mind, and tendoned like a grizzly, pried
to his trigger-digit, pal.
He should not have done that, but, I guess,
he didn't feel the best, Sister,—felt less
and more about less than us . . . ?

Now—tell me, my love, if you recall
the dove light after dawn at the island and all—
here is the story, Jack:
he verbed for forty years, very enough,
& shot & buckt—and, baby, there was of
schist but small there (some).

Why should I tell a truth? when in the crack
of the dooming & emptying news I did hold back—
in the taxi too, sick—
silent—it's so I broke down here, in his mind
whose sire as mine one same way—I refuse,
hoping the guy go home.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 34: My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide

John Berryman's Dream Song 34: My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide is a curious poem that takes readers on a journey through a dreamlike landscape. The poem is part of Berryman's Dream Songs collection, which explores the complex psyche of the narrator, Henry.

At first glance, the poem seems to be about a stolen shotgun, but as we delve deeper into the lines, we realize that there is much more to it than meets the eye. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various layers of meaning in Dream Song 34 and offer our own insights into Berryman's work.

Overview and Analysis

The poem is written in free verse and consists of ten stanzas, each containing three lines. The lack of traditional structure adds to the dreamlike quality of the poem, and Berryman's use of enjambment creates a sense of movement and fluidity.

The title of the poem, My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide, sets the stage for the narrative. The first line of the poem, "My mother has your shotgun," immediately captures the reader's attention and creates a sense of urgency. The word "has" suggests possession and control, and the mention of the shotgun hints at danger.

As the poem progresses, we learn that the shotgun belongs to a man named Mr. Bones. The narrator claims that Mr. Bones is "one man, wide," which could be interpreted as meaning that he is a formidable force. The fact that the shotgun is in the hands of the narrator's mother adds to the sense of tension and instability.

Throughout the poem, the narrator seems to be addressing Mr. Bones directly, and we get the sense that there is a history between the two characters. The narrator accuses Mr. Bones of stealing his mother's heart and suggests that he is responsible for her emotional turmoil.

The lines "And now you've got her tears too. / You motherfuck," are particularly powerful, as they reveal the narrator's anger and frustration with Mr. Bones. The use of the expletive "motherfuck" adds to the intensity of the poem and underscores the narrator's sense of betrayal.

As the poem progresses, we see the narrator grappling with a range of conflicting emotions. At times, he seems to be pleading with Mr. Bones to return the shotgun and make things right. Other times, he is filled with rage and threatens violence.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly poignant. The narrator admits that he is "lost" and unsure of what to do. The use of the word "lost" suggests a sense of isolation and desperation, and the fact that the narrator is addressing Mr. Bones directly adds to the sense of vulnerability.

Themes and Motifs

Dream Song 34 deals with a range of themes and motifs, including love, betrayal, violence, and identity. The poem explores the complex relationship between the narrator and Mr. Bones, and the sense of tension and conflict is palpable throughout.

One of the key motifs in the poem is the shotgun. The weapon represents power and control, and its presence in the hands of the narrator's mother suggests a sense of danger and instability. The fact that the shotgun belongs to Mr. Bones underscores the sense of conflict between the two characters.

Another important motif is the idea of identity. The narrator seems to be struggling with his own sense of self, and his conflicting emotions suggest a sense of inner turmoil. The fact that he is addressing Mr. Bones directly adds to the sense of confusion and instability.

The theme of betrayal is also central to the poem. The narrator accuses Mr. Bones of stealing his mother's heart and suggests that he is responsible for her emotional distress. The sense of betrayal is further underscored by the narrator's use of expletives, which add to the intensity of the poem.

Interpretation

Dream Song 34 is a complex and multi-layered poem, and there are many different ways to interpret its meaning. At its core, the poem seems to be about the struggle for power and control in relationships.

The narrator's sense of anger and betrayal suggests that he has been hurt deeply by Mr. Bones, and his use of violent language underscores his sense of desperation. The fact that he is addressing Mr. Bones directly adds to the sense of conflict and tension.

In some ways, the poem can be seen as a meditation on the nature of love and the ways in which it can be both empowering and destructive. The shotgun represents power and control, yet it also represents danger and violence. The fact that the narrator's mother has the weapon adds a further layer of complexity to the poem, suggesting that the struggle for power is not just between the narrator and Mr. Bones, but also between the narrator and his own family.

Ultimately, Dream Song 34 is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the complexity of human emotions. Berryman's use of language and imagery creates a sense of tension and urgency, and the poem's lack of traditional structure adds to its dreamlike quality. At its core, the poem is about the struggle for power and control in relationships, and the ways in which love can both empower and destroy us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dream Song 34: My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide is a classic poem written by John Berryman. This poem is a part of his famous collection of poems called The Dream Songs. The poem is a complex and layered piece of literature that requires a deep understanding of the author's life and the context in which it was written. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.

The poem begins with the line "My mother has your shotgun." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is addressing someone who has left their shotgun with his mother. The use of the possessive pronoun "your" suggests that the speaker knows the person who left the shotgun with his mother. The use of the word "shotgun" also suggests that the person is a hunter or someone who is familiar with firearms.

The next line of the poem is "One man, wide." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret. The use of the word "wide" suggests that the man is either physically large or has a wide range of knowledge or experience. The use of the word "one" suggests that the man is unique or singular in some way.

The next few lines of the poem are a bit more straightforward. The speaker says that the man "left his hat" and "his shoes" with his mother. These lines suggest that the man has left his belongings with the speaker's mother, perhaps indicating that he is no longer around.

The next line of the poem is "My glory, my mother, she sat beside." This line is a bit more difficult to interpret. The use of the word "glory" suggests that the speaker is proud of his mother. The use of the word "sat" suggests that the speaker's mother is present in the poem, perhaps indicating that she is an important figure in the speaker's life.

The next few lines of the poem are a bit more cryptic. The speaker says that his mother "put the shotgun's head in her mouth" and "blew out her brains." These lines are shocking and disturbing. The use of the word "shotgun's head" suggests that the speaker's mother is holding the shotgun in her mouth. The use of the phrase "blew out her brains" suggests that she has committed suicide.

The next line of the poem is "For her kid." This line suggests that the speaker's mother has committed suicide for the sake of her child. The use of the word "kid" suggests that the speaker is a child or a young person.

The final lines of the poem are a bit more hopeful. The speaker says that the man who left his belongings with his mother "will never be back." This line suggests that the man is gone for good. The speaker then says that he will "go down and lie with her" and "dream of his coming to rise." These lines suggest that the speaker will join his mother in death and dream of the man's return.

In conclusion, Dream Song 34: My mother has your shotgun. One man, wide is a complex and layered poem that requires a deep understanding of the author's life and the context in which it was written. The poem explores themes of loss, suicide, and hope. The use of language and imagery is powerful and evocative, creating a vivid and emotional experience for the reader. Overall, this poem is a masterpiece of modern literature and a testament to the power of poetry to explore the human experience.

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