John Berryman was an American poet and an incredibly important figure in American poetry in the 20th century. He’s part of the confessional school of poetry alongside writers like Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath. His best-known work is The Dream Songs and includes many free verse poems labeled with numbers.
In ‘Dream Song 149,’ Berryman mourns Delmore’s death and reflects on their profound connection amidst disillusionment with the world.
This world is gradually becoming a place
where I do not care to be anymore. Can Delmore die?
I don’t suppose
in all them years a day ever went by
‘Dream Song 14’ by Berryman portrays the quest for meaning in life’s monotony, capturing a search for companionship amid dullness.
‘Dream Song 29’ by John Berryman, seeming like a nightmare, is a reality-bending exploration of Henry’s troubled mind.
There sat down, once, a thing on Henry's heart só heavy, if he had a hundred years & more, & weeping, sleepless, in all them time Henry could not make good.
‘Henry’s Understanding’ by John Berryman is a chilling and image-rich description of Berryman’s state of mind towards the end of his life as he contemplated suicide.
He was reading late, at Richard's, down in Maine,
aged 32? Richard & Helen long in bed,
my good wife long in bed.
Berryman’s ‘The Ball Poem’ reflects on loss and growing up through a boy’s lost ball, symbolizing life’s inevitable changes.
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