Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence

The Russian grin bellows his condolence
tó the family: ah but it’s Kay,
& Ted, & Chris & Anne,
Henry thinks of: who eased his fearful way
from here, in here, to there. This wants thought.
I won’t make it out.

Maybe the source of noble such may come
clearer to dazzled Henry. It may come.
I’d say it will come with pain,
in mystery. I’d rather leave it alone.
I do leave it alone.
And down with the listener.

Now he has become, abrupt, an industry.
Professional-Friends-Of-Robert-Frost all over
gap wide their mouths
while the quirky medium of so many truths
is quiet. Let’s be quiet. Let us listen:
—What for, Mr Bones?
—while he begins to have it out with Horace.

Analysis, meaning and summary of John Berryman's poem Dream Song 38: The Russian grin bellows his condolence

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Do you have any comments, criticism, paraphrasis or analysis of this poem that you feel would assist other visitors in understanding the meaning or the theme of this poem by John Berryman better? If accepted, your analysis will be added to this page of American Poems. Together we can build a wealth of information, but it will take some discipline and determination.