Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Her & It" by John Berryman is a reflective and somewhat melancholy poem that navigates the intricacies of past love, the passage of time, and the intersections between personal life and literary success. Through a conversational tone, Berryman offers a glimpse into the speaker's thoughts and feelings about a long-lost love, juxtaposed with the realities of his current life and accomplishments.

The poem opens with a candid admission of falling in love and the subsequent life paths that have led the speaker and the object of his affection in different directions. The speculation about her having "seven lousy children" contrasts sharply with the speaker's own acknowledgment of paternity ("I've three myself"), hinting at the divergent consequences of their choices and the passage of time since their separation.

Berryman employs a tone of wistfulness and longing as the speaker expresses a desire for the woman to read his book and reach out to him. This longing is not just for reconnection but for validation and acknowledgment from someone who once held significance in his life. The mention of receiving letters "from anybody" underscores a sense of loneliness or dissatisfaction despite public recognition, emphasizing that the woman's communication would hold a special, incomparable value.

As the poem progresses, Berryman shifts focus to the speaker's literary and financial success, detailing international acclaim, substantial earnings, and media attention. References to "elephant cheques," favorable treatment by "Time magazine," and global admiration serve to highlight the speaker's professional achievements and public persona. However, this success is presented with a degree of irony, suggesting that these accomplishments do not fully compensate for personal longing and unfulfilled desires.

The speaker's anticipation of possibly encountering the woman among the admirers at a poetry reading encapsulates the hope that past and present might intersect, allowing for a moment of recognition or reconciliation. The mention of "My tough Songs" suggests that the speaker's work contains elements of resilience and depth, perhaps mirroring his own experiences and emotional journey.

Berryman concludes the poem with a poignant memory of the woman whispering something in the speaker's ear during a dance, a moment now lost to time and forgetfulness. This ending encapsulates the theme of fleeting connections and the ineffable nature of memory and desire. The speaker's admission of forgetting her words signifies the inevitable erosion of specific memories, even as the emotional resonance of past relationships continues to linger.

"Her & It" is a meditation on the complexities of human relationships, the pursuit of meaning through art, and the reconciliation of past loves with present realities. Berryman crafts a narrative that is both personal and universal, capturing the enduring impact of love and loss against the backdrop of life's ongoing challenges and achievements.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Love_and_Fame/GIx-BAAAQBAJ?q=john+berryman+%22I+hardly+slept+across+the+north+atlantic%22&gbpv=1#f=false

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