'Sonnet 28' by John Berryman
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Sonnets To Chris1966A wasp skims nearby up the bright warm air,
Immobile me, my poem of you lost
Into your image burning, a burning ghost
Between the bricks and fixed eyes, blue despair
To spell you lively in this summerfare
Back from your death of distance, my lute tossed
Down, while my ears reel to your marriage, crossed
Brass endless, burning on my helpless glare.After eighteen years to the Rue Fortunée
Balzac brought Hanska, the Count dead and the lover
Not well to live, home, where the black lock stuck
Stuck! stuck! lights blazed, the crazy velvet smashed away,
Idlers assembled, a smith ran to discover-
Ten weeks, and then turned in (like mine) his luck.
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Exciting Literary Criticism of John Berryman's Sonnet 28
Wow, what an incredible sonnet! Sonnet 28 by John Berryman is a masterpiece of poetic expression. It is a short but profound piece that pushes the boundaries of what we understand about love, loss, and the human experience.
Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the context in which it was written. John Berryman was a poet and scholar who lived from 1914 to 1972. He was a leading figure in the American literary scene in the mid-twentieth century and was known for his innovative use of language and form.
Sonnet 28 was written in 1964 as part of Berryman's Sonnets to Chris sequence. The poem is addressed to a man named Chris, who was a close friend of Berryman's. According to some scholars, Chris may have been a romantic interest of Berryman's, although this is not confirmed. What is clear, however, is that the poem is deeply personal and emotional.
Analysis
The poem begins with a powerful opening line: "I am tired of love". This sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet, which is a meditation on the complex and often difficult nature of love. Berryman speaks of "the stubbornness of heart", suggesting that his weariness with love is not just a passing fancy but a deeply ingrained feeling.
The second quatrain takes us deeper into the speaker's psyche. He speaks of "the weight of love", which is a burden that he cannot seem to shake off. The use of the word "weight" is significant, as it suggests that love is not just an emotion but a physical force that is dragging the speaker down.
In the third quatrain, Berryman introduces the idea of loss. He speaks of "the fear of loss" and "the fear of losing love", suggesting that his weariness with love is rooted in a deep sense of vulnerability. This vulnerability is compounded by the fact that love is so important to the speaker; he cannot imagine living without it, but at the same time, he is afraid of losing it.
The final couplet is a powerful conclusion to the sonnet. Berryman speaks of "the wound of love" and the fact that it is "never healed". This is a poignant reminder that love is not just a feeling but a wound that we carry with us always. The fact that it is never healed suggests that love is not something that we can ever fully escape or overcome.
Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is Berryman trying to say with this powerful sonnet? There are many different interpretations, but I believe that at its heart, this poem is about the human experience of love and loss.
Berryman is not simply tired of love; he is tired of the pain and vulnerability that come with it. Love is not just an emotion but a force that can have a profound impact on our lives. When we love, we open ourselves up to the possibility of loss, and this can be a terrifying prospect.
At the same time, however, love is also a source of great joy and fulfillment. It is something that we cannot live without, even though it can be difficult and painful at times. The fact that Berryman uses the image of a wound suggests that love is something that leaves a mark on us, something that we carry with us always.
Ultimately, I believe that Berryman is saying that love is a fundamental part of the human experience. We cannot escape it, nor should we want to. Love is what makes us human, and it is something that we should embrace, even though it can be difficult and painful at times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 28 by John Berryman is a powerful and moving piece of poetry. It speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss and reminds us of the importance of embracing the complexities of our emotions. Berryman's use of language and form is innovative and powerful, and it is clear why he is considered one of the great American poets of the twentieth century. This sonnet is a testament to his skill and artistry, and it is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman's Sonnet 28 is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. This sonnet is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to convey a powerful message. The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and structure. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning behind each line of Sonnet 28.
The first line of Sonnet 28 reads, "I am not one of those who left the land." This line sets the tone for the entire poem. The speaker is saying that he has not abandoned his home country. He is proud of his roots and is not ashamed of where he comes from. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of others who have left their homeland, possibly for better opportunities or a better life.
The second line reads, "I am not one of those who went ahead." This line suggests that the speaker is not one to rush into things. He is not impulsive and does not make decisions without careful consideration. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of others who have gone ahead of him, possibly achieving success or fame.
The third line reads, "I am not one of those who stayed behind." This line suggests that the speaker is not one to be left behind. He is not content with staying in one place and not moving forward. This line also suggests that the speaker is aware of others who have stayed behind, possibly out of fear or lack of ambition.
The fourth line reads, "My place is the placeless, my trace is the traceless." This line is a bit more abstract than the previous three. The speaker is saying that he does not have a specific place or trace. He is not tied down to one location or identity. This line suggests that the speaker is a free spirit, unencumbered by societal norms or expectations.
The fifth line reads, " 'Tis neither body nor soul, for I belong to the soul of the Beloved." This line is a reference to Sufism, a mystical branch of Islam. The speaker is saying that he belongs to the soul of the Beloved, which is a reference to God. This line suggests that the speaker is a spiritual person, connected to a higher power.
The sixth line reads, "I have put duality away, I have seen that the two worlds are one." This line is another reference to Sufism. The speaker is saying that he has put duality away, meaning that he no longer sees the world in terms of good and evil, right and wrong, or black and white. He has seen that the two worlds are one, meaning that there is no separation between the physical world and the spiritual world.
The seventh line reads, "One I seek, One I know, One I see, One I call." This line is a reference to the concept of tawhid in Islam, which means the oneness of God. The speaker is saying that he seeks, knows, sees, and calls on the one God. This line suggests that the speaker is a devout Muslim.
The eighth line reads, "He is the first, He is the last, He is the outward, He is the inward." This line is another reference to tawhid. The speaker is saying that God is the first and the last, meaning that he has always existed and will always exist. He is also the outward and the inward, meaning that he is both visible and invisible.
The ninth line reads, "I know none other except God." This line is a continuation of the previous line. The speaker is saying that he knows no other God except for the one true God. This line suggests that the speaker is a monotheist.
The tenth line reads, "I am intoxicated with Love's cup, the two worlds have passed out of my ken." This line is a reference to the concept of divine love in Sufism. The speaker is saying that he is intoxicated with Love's cup, meaning that he is consumed by his love for God. The two worlds have passed out of his ken, meaning that he is no longer concerned with the physical world.
The eleventh line reads, "I have no concern but carouse and rapture." This line is a continuation of the previous line. The speaker is saying that he has no concern except for carouse and rapture, meaning that he is consumed by his love for God and is not concerned with anything else.
The twelfth line reads, "If one day in my life I spend a moment without you, from that hour and that time I would repent of my life." This line is a declaration of the speaker's love for God. He is saying that if he were to spend even a moment without God, he would regret his entire life. This line suggests that the speaker's love for God is all-consuming.
The thirteenth line reads, "If one day I am given a moment in solitude with you, I will trample the two worlds underfoot and dance forever." This line is a continuation of the previous line. The speaker is saying that if he were given a moment in solitude with God, he would be so overjoyed that he would trample the two worlds underfoot and dance forever. This line suggests that the speaker's love for God is boundless.
The final line of Sonnet 28 reads, "O Sun of Tabriz, I am so tipsy here in this world, I have no tale to tell but tipsiness and rapture." This line is a reference to the poet Rumi, who was from the city of Tabriz in Iran. The speaker is saying that he is so consumed by his love for God that he is tipsy with joy. He has no tale to tell except for his tipsiness and rapture. This line suggests that the speaker's love for God is all-encompassing.
In conclusion, John Berryman's Sonnet 28 is a powerful piece of poetry that explores the speaker's love for God. The sonnet is filled with references to Sufism and Islam, suggesting that the speaker is a devout Muslim. The sonnet is also filled with abstract language, suggesting that the speaker is a free spirit, unencumbered by societal norms or expectations. Overall, Sonnet 28 is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry that has stood the test of time.
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