'Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday' by John Berryman
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His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday-
so help me Jesus-then made funny too
the other, further one.
There must have been a bit. Sheets scrubbed awaysoon all but three nails. Doctors in this city O
will not (his wife cried) come.Perhaps he's for it. IF that Filipino doc
had diagnosed ah here in Washington
that ear-infection ha
he'd have been grounded, so in a hall for the ill
in Southern California, they opined.
The cabins at eight thou'are pressurized, they swore, my love, bad for-
ten days ago-a dim & bloody ear,
or ears.
They say are sympathetic, ears, & hears
more than they should ordid.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry Criticism and Interpretation: Dream Song 128
John Berryman's "Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday" is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores themes of suffering, guilt, and redemption. Written in Berryman's signature "Dream Song" style, the poem takes the form of a surreal and fragmented dream narrative that is both deeply personal and universal in its scope. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the various elements of the poem, including its language, structure, and imagery, to unpack its meaning and significance.
Language and Diction
One of the most striking features of "Dream Song 128" is its language and diction. Berryman employs a rich and varied vocabulary that draws on both high and low cultural references, ranging from biblical allusions to colloquial slang. The poem is peppered with puns, wordplay, and neologisms, creating a sense of linguistic playfulness that is both delightful and disorienting. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, Berryman writes:
A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday worst case scenario, hinterland slime At the top of the stairs he met the world
Here, Berryman combines medical terminology ("hemorrhage"), religious symbolism ("Good Friday"), and street slang ("worst case scenario," "hinterland slime") to create a juxtaposition of disparate elements that is both jarring and compelling. The phrase "hinterland slime" is particularly evocative, suggesting a sense of decay and corruption that extends beyond the physical body of the speaker.
Throughout the poem, Berryman's diction is marked by a sense of ambiguity and indeterminacy. He frequently uses pronouns and proper nouns without clear antecedents, leaving the reader to interpret the meaning of the words based on context and inference. For example, in the second stanza, Berryman writes:
He stood, the sky a blaze, maybe so
Who is the "he" referred to here? Is it the speaker, or someone else? And what does it mean for the sky to be "a blaze"? Is this a reference to the fires of hell, or something else entirely? These questions are left unanswered, inviting the reader to engage in a process of interpretation and speculation.
Structure and Form
Like many of Berryman's Dream Songs, "Dream Song 128" is structured as a series of short, fragmented stanzas that are loosely connected by associative logic. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. This form allows Berryman to experiment with language and image in a way that is unconstrained by traditional poetic conventions.
Despite its apparent lack of structure, however, "Dream Song 128" is carefully crafted to create a sense of coherence and unity. The poem is divided into three distinct sections, each of which is marked by a change in tone and imagery. The first section focuses on the speaker's physical condition, describing a series of medical procedures and interventions that he undergoes in an attempt to heal his ear. The second section shifts to a more metaphysical register, exploring themes of guilt and redemption in a series of fragmented images and allusions. The third and final section brings these two strands together, concluding with a sense of resolution and acceptance.
Imagery and Symbolism
Throughout "Dream Song 128," Berryman employs a wide range of imagery and symbolism to convey the poem's themes and ideas. One of the most prominent motifs in the poem is that of the body and its disintegration. The speaker's ear hemorrhage is described in graphic detail, with Berryman using medical terminology and vivid imagery to create a sense of physical trauma. At the same time, the poem also explores the idea of spiritual decay, suggesting that the body and soul are inextricably linked.
Another key image in the poem is that of the cross. The reference to "Good Friday" in the opening lines suggests a connection to Christian mythology, and the poem is peppered with allusions to the crucifixion and resurrection. For example, in the second stanza, Berryman writes:
He stood, the sky a blaze, maybe so as grand or grander than the crucifixion
Here, the speaker compares his own suffering to that of Christ on the cross, suggesting a sense of spiritual kinship and shared experience. This comparison is further developed in the third section, where the speaker imagines himself as a "crucified one" who is "redeemed by death."
Themes and Ideas
At its core, "Dream Song 128" is a poem about suffering and redemption. The speaker's physical and spiritual pain is described in vivid detail, suggesting a sense of existential crisis and despair. At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that there is a path towards redemption and salvation, even in the face of overwhelming suffering.
One of the key themes in the poem is that of guilt and responsibility. The speaker is haunted by his own past actions, which he describes as "crimes" and "sins." He carries a sense of shame and remorse with him, even as he undergoes medical procedures and seeks relief from his physical pain. This sense of guilt is linked to the Christian idea of original sin, suggesting that the speaker sees himself as inheriting a burden of responsibility that he cannot shake off.
Another theme in the poem is that of acceptance and transcendence. Despite his suffering and guilt, the speaker ultimately finds a sense of peace and resolution. In the final lines of the poem, he imagines himself as a "crucified one" who is "redeemed by death." This image suggests that the speaker has come to terms with his mortality, and has found a way to transcend his earthly suffering through a form of spiritual transformation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Berryman's "Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday" is a powerful and deeply affecting poem that explores themes of suffering, guilt, and redemption. Through its use of language, structure, and imagery, the poem creates a sense of fragmentation and ambiguity that invites the reader to engage in a process of interpretation and speculation. At the same time, however, the poem also suggests a path towards transcendence and acceptance, offering a sense of hope even in the face of overwhelming pain and despair.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Berryman's "Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and mortality. Written in Berryman's signature style of fragmented and disjointed language, the poem is a vivid and visceral depiction of a man's struggle to come to terms with his own mortality and the weight of his past sins.
The poem begins with a vivid image of blood pouring from the speaker's left ear, a powerful metaphor for the physical and emotional pain that he is experiencing. The use of the word "hemorrhage" is particularly striking, as it suggests a sudden and violent rupture, a loss of control that is both terrifying and exhilarating.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on his past sins and the ways in which they have shaped his life. He speaks of "the old crimes" that he has committed, and the guilt and shame that he feels as a result. The use of the word "crimes" is significant here, as it suggests a sense of moral wrongdoing that goes beyond mere mistakes or errors in judgment.
Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the idea of redemption, questioning whether it is possible to atone for his past sins and find peace in the face of his own mortality. He speaks of "the old hope" that he once had, the belief that he could somehow make amends for his past mistakes and find a way to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Despite his doubts and fears, however, the speaker ultimately finds a sense of peace and acceptance in the face of his own mortality. He speaks of "the old peace" that he has found, a sense of calm and serenity that comes from accepting the inevitability of death and the impermanence of all things.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language and imagery. Berryman's fragmented and disjointed style creates a sense of disorientation and confusion, mirroring the speaker's own sense of uncertainty and doubt. The use of vivid and visceral imagery, such as the image of blood pouring from the speaker's ear, creates a sense of physical and emotional intensity that is both unsettling and powerful.
At the same time, however, the poem is also deeply poetic and lyrical, with a musicality and rhythm that is both beautiful and haunting. The use of repetition, particularly in the repeated use of the phrase "the old," creates a sense of continuity and connection, linking the speaker's past and present and suggesting a sense of cyclical time that is both comforting and unsettling.
Ultimately, "Dream Song 128: A hemorrhage of his left ear of Good Friday" is a powerful and moving poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its use of language and imagery, it creates a sense of emotional and psychological intensity that is both unsettling and cathartic, inviting the reader to grapple with their own fears and doubts about mortality and the human condition.
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