Dream Song 98: I met a junior–not so junior–and

I met a junior—not so junior—and
a-many others, who knew ‘him’ or ‘them’
long ago, slightly,
whom I know. It was the usual
cocktail party, only (my schedule being strict)
beforehand.

I worked. Well. Then they kept the kids away
with their own questions, over briefest coffee.
Then kids drove me to my city.
I think of the junior: once my advanced élève,
sweetnatured, slack a little, never perhaps to make,
in my opinion then, it.

In my opinion, after a decade, now.
He publishes. The place was second-rate
and is throwing up new buildings.
He’ll be, with luck, there always.—Mr Bones,
stop that damn dismal.—Why can’t we all the same
be? —Dr Bones, how?

Analysis, meaning and summary of John Berryman's poem Dream Song 98: I met a junior–not so junior–and

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