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Poet: John Berryman (John Berryman Art)
Poem: 24.
Dream Song 24: Oh servant Henry lectured till
Volume: 77 Dream Songs
Year: Published/Written in 1964
Poem of the Day:
Oct 29 2004
Comment 2 of 2, added on June 16th, 2009 at 4:03 PM.
I love how this one captures that sort of excitement and validation that comes with being a teacher/speech-giver, knowledge-holder of some kind that people, for whatever reason, grasp onto and salute and marvel at and trust. Calling the audience “rainy lepers” might suggest their lack of well-being, thus their thirst for his ideas. One of the best parts is when he is “Beside himself, his possibilities”—really gives you a sense of how when you are validated enthusiastically repeatedly it is possible to drum up excitement for yourself and your role in the world. The reference to him speaking in India and race bigotry makes me wonder about the political implications of the poem, but I think I can still enjoy it without knowing the full context—post imperialism relations with India? Does “lepers” suggest the lecturer feels greater than the listeners, or that someone else in the world does?
sarab from United States
Comment 1 of 2, added on October 29th, 2004 at 4:03 PM.
its confusing until you really analize it..but otherwise its interesting..mysterious...
harley nyckole from United States
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Comments
I love how this one captures that sort of excitement and validation that comes with being a teacher/speech-giver, knowledge-holder of some kind that people, for whatever reason, grasp onto and salute and marvel at and trust. Calling the audience “rainy lepers” might suggest their lack of well-being, thus their thirst for his ideas. One of the best parts is when he is “Beside himself, his possibilities”—really gives you a sense of how when you are validated enthusiastically repeatedly it is possible to drum up excitement for yourself and your role in the world. The reference to him speaking in India and race bigotry makes me wonder about the political implications of the poem, but I think I can still enjoy it without knowing the full context—post imperialism relations with India? Does “lepers” suggest the lecturer feels greater than the listeners, or that someone else in the world does?
sarab from United States