Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Sonnet: 13" by John Berryman is a poignant exploration of distance, longing, and connection woven into the structured form of a sonnet. This poem captures a moment of simultaneous isolation and togetherness, bridging physical separation through the shared ritual of lifting a glass in a symbolic toast. Berryman uses vivid imagery and a deeply personal voice to convey the complex emotions associated with remembering a distant loved one.

The poem opens with the speaker acknowledging the physical distance between himself and his beloved, "lift—lift you five States away your glass," immediately setting the scene of separation. This act of lifting a glass is a gesture of connection, an attempt to bridge the gap between them through a shared experience, despite the miles apart.

Berryman describes the setting of a bar, a place unfamiliar to his darling and devoid of personal connections, "Wide of this bar you never graced, where none / Ever I know came." The description of the surroundings—a brass police-car sign, wet strange cars passing, the soiled rag of day—paints a picture of a place that is somewhat dreary and disconnected from the warmth of human relationships.

The mention of a jukebox and the barkeep with a toupee adds to the sense of alienation, highlighting the contrast between the public setting and the private moment of remembrance and longing the speaker experiences. Despite being physically alone, the speaker finds solace in the imagined presence of his beloved, reinforced by the ritual of lifting a glass at a specific time, "at six o'clock, my darling, / As you plotted."

Berryman extends the imagery beyond the bar, drawing in elements of the natural and animal world with "Chinese couples shift in bed," and "Beasts in the hills their tigerish love are snarling." These lines suggest a universality of connection and desire, contrasting the primal, instinctual nature of animals with the more nuanced, emotional longing of humans.

The sonnet culminates in a powerful moment of imagined togetherness, "Suddenly they clash, I blow my short ash red, / Grey eyes light! and we have our drink together." The act of blowing ash from a cigarette and the sudden lighting of grey eyes signify a spark of connection, a moment where the distance is momentarily forgotten, and the speaker feels the presence of his beloved. The shared drink becomes a symbol of their enduring bond, a ritual that transcends physical separation and allows them to share a moment of intimacy despite the vast space between them.

"Sonnet: 13" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of love, memory, and the ways in which we seek to maintain connections across distances. Berryman's use of detailed imagery, emotional depth, and the structured form of the sonnet come together to create a poignant reflection on the power of love to bridge the divides between us.

POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57089/sonnet-13

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