A letter to John Berryman

Has the world always been

ruins, tipping 

toward space, a top losing

its momentum. *I shouldn't 

speak because 

I see things dark.* maybe

like, you, who, missing a father-also

last seen through

a window- spelt out another

voice to speak. Henry, 

you understand. It is not  uncommon

to harden to tree stumps,

to become, yourself, too much

to bear. The world looking closer

through the cables

of a bridge than through the kitchen

window. Henry, you understand. 

*Finding kindreds

is sometimes a blessing, sometimes

a curse.* Like cicadas singing,

filling the sky

of the sound of summer, then

leaving their skin behind. 

How we mourn

facing the mud, empty 

in a teeming world. Islanded

when the roads lead

almost anywhere. I know cages

are not always    visible. 

Author's Note

2017

Reviews

[kentuck14]

A very contemplative poem! Berryman . . . a truly tragic figure. Read his story through his ex-wife, E. Simpson, "Poets in their Youth". Never really liked his work . . . but I've read Phillip Levine say he was a great teacher. Question: Did Berryman's alter ego, Henri, jump off that bridge with John?
T

[Eilis]

Hey, Tom. I first read Berryman's Homage to Mistress Broadstreet and was really interested in his fascination with a figure of the past. Then I discovered the Dream Songs and read his story. Sad stuff. It's a lot like Sylvia Plath in that I can't read too much of that stuff. It's heavy. But, I was reading it one night and this poem came to me.

As for your question. Geez, that's a deep one. I'll have to think on that a bit. My gut reaction is to say Henry is still wandering the pages of those old poems.

Thanks for reading.

[kentuck14]

Yeah, reading Plath can do that to you! You're probably right . . . old Henri lives on!!
T.

[gram linski]

another powerful visceral poem, you have a way with words and images and ideals that crush us mortal poets into submission at your artistry and fine fine writing style, sometimes those invisible cages are the strongest, but everyone has earned the right to break on through to the other side, awesome writing, Eilis,
fine fine fine,

[Eilis]

Thank you, Gram. Breaking on through to the other side is a great right and force to carry. I’m a mortal poet too, haha. We’ve all got our moments where we say something that connects. Have read it plenty of times in your words and been influenced.

Thanks for the nice things you said. And of course for taking the time to read. Always appreciated.

[CD Campbell]

I like Berryman. I have a few of his works on my bookshelf. I dont have the poetic "gravitas" to make any kind of educated judgement on his charecter or direction, but you can just as easily get lost in his words as you can lose interest without the appropriate concentration. Art = poetry x tragedy + talent.
I see your letter as someone reaching out, trying to comfort, offering understanding, letting them know that their words were not in vain, but it's all a bit too late. Or is it? There is more to this universe than we will ever know. Maybe John got a smile out of this one.

[Eilis]

I try not to make too many judgements because they always seem to come back to bite me if I do. I don’t know what I ought to think of Berryman, but I do feel pity. Understanding, certainly. But then, how much of a poet’s work can be counted as truth in representation. I suppose I have attached to his story. He would probably feel a bit of contempt for my presumptuous words. But, I do often feel driven to voice these things in spite of whatever reasons there may be not to.

I find your review compelling, CD. I am an emotion-driven human being. It’s nice to be confronted by logic or reason or what have you- some counter to reactive emotion. Offers another window on the world.

Thanks for leaving comments that are not just words for the sake of it. I appreciate that.

[CD Campbell]

Sometimes reviews are on point or just grasping at straws. I think this type of well written contemplative work needs more than just offhanded comments. You deserve it.

[Eilis]

Thanks for that. I don't mean to disparage anyone or any comments I've received. I have gotten a lot of thoughtful commentary on my poems. I probably should have said I appreciate the thoughtfulness (thought-input?) of your reviews. Thanks again.

[CD Campbell]

No worries.

[Robert Trakofler]

Don't know Berryman very well I shall have to explore him. Your cicada reference is wonderful, the sense of loss peppered by a subtle feeling of longing in this expression is very well done and I must say the infer of your sense of kinship is one that i do enjoy when reading others works when you feel that common pulse and share the machinations of write in your own it can be very exhilarating.

[Eilis]

Thank you, Robert. Berryman is a tragic figure, a bit like Plath in that respect. It's always a mystery to me where these connections stem from, but there they are.

Appreciate your thoughts on this.

[Neville]

you made me think and you certainly made me wonder.. I am certainly more familiar with J. Berryman as of now than I had been previously and to cap it all .. I have always known that cages are not always visible......... Neville

[Eilis]

Hi, Neville. Thanks for sharing where the reading took you. Hope you are hangin in there.
read moreHi, Neville. Thanks for sharing where the reading took you. Hope you are hangin in there.

Always glad to have you stop by

[DAH]

"*Finding kindreds
is sometimes a blessing, sometimes
a curse.* Like cicadas singing,
filling the sky" love the wisdom displayed here.

Your letter-poem is exquisite, so full of wisdom, compassion,
and poetry that Berryman should have had it in his hand while jumping.

Bravo!

DAH

[Eilis]

Ah, many thank yous, Dah. I have a habit of speaking to people in my poetry, and I'm not always sure it makes sense to anyone but me.

I appreciate what you have to say about this one.

[DAH]

My pleasure!

[Kay Salisu Titilola]

Truth!
You unveiled the truth here.
The last line really makes an exciting but bewaring ending.
"I KNOW CAGE ARE NOT ALWAYS VISIBLE."

Well state.

[Eilis]

Hi, Kay. Thanks for your enthusiastic response. I’m glad you found something of the truth here. read moreHi, Kay. Thanks for your enthusiastic response. I’m glad you found something of the truth here.

All the best to you.