'Dream Song 120: Foes I sniff, when I have less to shout' by John Berryman

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

His Toy, His Dream, His Rest1968Foes I sniff, when I have less to shout
or murmur. Pals alone enormous sounds
downward & up bring real.
Loss, deaths, terror. Over & out,
beloved: thanks for cabbage on my wounds:
I'll feed you how I feel:-of avocado moist with lemon, yea
formaldehyde & rotting sardines O
in our appointed time
I would I could a touch more fully say
my consentless mind. The senses are below,
which in this air sublimedo I repudiate. But foes I sniff!
My nose in all directions! I be so brave
I creep into an Arctic cave
for the rectal temperature of the biggest bear,
hibernating-in my left hand sugar.
I totter to the lip of the cliff.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dream Song 120: Foes I sniff, when I have less to shout by John Berryman

Oh, what a piece of poetry! As you dive into Dream Song 120, you are met with a barrage of emotions that are hard to ignore. The poem is an unapologetic ballad of the psyche of the narrator, and it takes you on a journey of introspection and self-discovery.

The Poem

Foes I sniff, when I have less to shout, is the first line of Dream Song 120. The poem is a series of three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the narrator talking about how he has been forced to face his enemies. The second stanza takes a more introspective turn, with the narrator examining his own flaws and shortcomings. The third stanza is a bit more optimistic, with the narrator acknowledging the possibility of redemption.

The poem is written in free verse, with no rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and improvisation, almost as if the narrator is speaking directly to you.

Literary Criticism

As you read Dream Song 120, you can't help but feel the raw emotion and honesty in the narrator's voice. The poem is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet, as he is able to capture the complexities of the human psyche in a few short stanzas.

The first stanza of the poem is particularly interesting, as the narrator talks about how he has been forced to face his enemies. This could be interpreted in a number of ways, but one possible interpretation is that the narrator is facing his own demons. The use of the word "sniff" in this context is interesting, as it implies that the narrator is trying to detect his enemies before they can attack him. This could be seen as a metaphor for the narrator trying to confront his own fears and insecurities.

The second stanza takes a more introspective turn, with the narrator examining his own flaws and shortcomings. The line "My weaknesses have I discarded" is particularly interesting, as it implies that the narrator has been able to overcome some of his flaws. However, the next line "I'm living then on borrowed time" suggests that the narrator is still aware of his mortality and the fragility of his existence.

The third stanza is a bit more optimistic, with the narrator acknowledging the possibility of redemption. The line "I'm not a proud man" is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the narrator is willing to humble himself in order to achieve redemption. This could be seen as a sign of hope, as the narrator is acknowledging his flaws and weaknesses and is willing to work towards a better future.

Interpretation

Dream Song 120 is a poem that is open to interpretation, and there are a number of ways in which it could be interpreted. One possible interpretation is that the poem is about the struggle for self-acceptance. The narrator is confronting his own demons and flaws, and is trying to come to terms with them. The use of the word "foes" in the first line could be seen as a metaphor for the narrator's own inner demons.

Another possible interpretation is that the poem is about mortality and the fragility of existence. The line "I'm living then on borrowed time" suggests that the narrator is aware of his mortality, and is trying to make the most of the time he has left. The poem could be seen as a reminder to live life to the fullest, as we never know when our time will be up.

Overall, Dream Song 120 is a powerful piece of poetry that is sure to leave an impression on anyone who reads it. The raw emotion and honesty in the narrator's voice is what makes this poem so compelling, and it is a testament to John Berryman's skill as a poet. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do so.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

John Berryman’s Dream Song 120, “Foes I sniff, when I have less to shout,” is a poem that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the emotions that come with them. The poem is part of Berryman’s Dream Songs collection, which is known for its unique style and structure. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that he is “less to shout” and that he is now able to “sniff” out his foes. This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of bitterness and resentment towards those who have wronged the speaker. The use of the word “sniff” is interesting because it implies that the speaker is like a dog, using his sense of smell to detect his enemies. This animalistic imagery is continued throughout the poem, with the speaker referring to himself as a “hound” and his enemies as “rats.”

The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of “the old days,” which the speaker seems to long for. He describes a time when he was “strong” and “full of fight,” and when his enemies were “few.” This nostalgia for the past is a common theme in Berryman’s Dream Songs, and it is often used to contrast with the speaker’s current state of mind. In this case, the speaker is bitter and resentful, and he longs for a time when he was more powerful and in control.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker’s bitterness really comes through. He describes his enemies as “rats” and “vermin,” and he says that he would like to “kill them all.” This violent imagery is disturbing, but it also reveals the depth of the speaker’s anger and frustration. He feels like he has been wronged by these people, and he wants to take revenge.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where the speaker’s emotions begin to shift. He starts to question his own motives and wonders if he is really justified in his anger. He asks himself if he is “righteous” or if he is just “mad.” This self-doubt is a common theme in Berryman’s Dream Songs, and it is often used to show the speaker’s vulnerability and humanity.

The fifth stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to reflect on his own mortality. He says that he is “old” and that he will soon be “gone.” This realization seems to bring the speaker a sense of peace, as he says that he will “leave them all behind.” This line is interesting because it implies that the speaker’s enemies will still be around after he is gone, and that they will continue to cause trouble for others.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker’s emotions come full circle. He says that he is “tired” and that he is ready to “lie down.” This line is a metaphor for death, and it shows that the speaker is ready to let go of his anger and bitterness. He says that he will “dream” and that he will “forget,” which implies that he is ready to move on from his past grievances.

In terms of structure, Dream Song 120 is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This lack of structure reflects the speaker’s state of mind, which is chaotic and disordered. The poem is also divided into six stanzas, each with a different focus. This structure allows the poem to explore different themes and emotions in a more organized way.

One of the most interesting literary devices used in Dream Song 120 is the use of animal imagery. The speaker compares himself to a “hound” and his enemies to “rats” and “vermin.” This imagery is interesting because it shows the speaker’s sense of powerlessness and vulnerability. He feels like he is being hunted by his enemies, and he is unable to defend himself.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase “less to shout” is repeated throughout the poem, which gives it a sense of unity and coherence. The repetition also emphasizes the speaker’s sense of resignation and acceptance.

In conclusion, Dream Song 120 is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the emotions that come with them. The poem is filled with bitterness, anger, and resentment, but it also shows the speaker’s vulnerability and humanity. The use of animal imagery and repetition adds depth and complexity to the poem, and the lack of structure reflects the speaker’s chaotic state of mind. Overall, Dream Song 120 is a masterful work of poetry that deserves to be studied and appreciated.

Editor Recommended Sites

Statistics Community: Online community discussion board for stats enthusiasts
ML Privacy:
Learn DBT: Tutorials and courses on learning DBT
Developer Painpoints: Common issues when using a particular cloud tool, programming language or framework
Cloud Taxonomy: Graph database taxonomies and ontologies on the cloud. Cloud reasoning knowledge graphs

Recommended Similar Analysis

The Naked And The Nude by Robert Graves analysis
America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates analysis
The City In The Sea by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Thrushes by Ted Hughes analysis
The Woodspurge by Dante Gabriel Rossetti analysis
The Thousand-And-Second Tale Of Scheherazade by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
Love And A Question by Robert Frost analysis
Table Turned, The by William Wordsworth analysis
Adonais by Percy Bysshe Shelley analysis
Computation , The by John Donne analysis