The poet, John Berryman, wants to convey that one must be careful with their possessions and act responsibly to avoid losses. The poem emphasizes the importance of understanding, accepting, and learning from the inevitable losses we come across in life. He also wants readers to comprehend the nature of loss and learn to process their grief and cope with disappointments. By acknowledging the inevitability of loss and the emotional impact it has, we can develop resilience and adaptability to face life's challenges better.