Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"It Is March" by William Stanley Merwin is a poignant exploration of the inescapable passage of time, impending change, and existential uncertainty. Merwin intricately weaves images that range from the mundane to the surreal, creating a space where the past, present, and future intertwine, leaving the reader in a state of contemplative uncertainty.

The poem starts with the unsettling image: "It is March and black dust falls out of the books." This line can be seen as a representation of decay and the inexorable march of time, even within objects that are generally considered to be preservatives of knowledge and history. The phrase "Soon I will be gone" introduces an even graver sense of finality, adding to the already somber tone. "The tall spirit who lodged here has / Left already," the speaker notes, emphasizing the ephemeral nature of human existence and perhaps suggesting that their own spirit or motivation has already departed, leaving a shell of a body behind.

Merwin adds another layer of complexity by inserting a socioeconomic undertone with the lines, "On the avenues the colorless thread lies under / Old prices." This could be interpreted as the remnants of past prosperity or a commentary on changing economic conditions. The "colorless thread" could represent the overlooked or disregarded aspects of society, which lay hidden under the surface of what used to be valuable or important.

The poem's heart lies in its existential query: "When you look back there is always the past / Even when it has vanished / But when you look forward / What can you write." The speaker acknowledges the paradox of human experience. While the past, even when it's gone, leaves an indelible mark on the present, the future remains an inscrutable mystery, full of uncertainties. This idea is intensified by the image of "dirty knuckles and the wingless / Bird on your shoulder," suggesting a journey that is laborious and fraught with difficulty, yet devoid of the potential for soaring flight.

As the poem nears its conclusion, it descends into even darker territory. "The bitterness is still rising in the old mines / The fist is coming out of the egg / The thermometers out of the mouths of the corpses." Here, Merwin uses striking metaphors to convey a sense of impending doom or upheaval. These images suggest that even if things appear calm on the surface, underneath there's a bubbling cauldron of bitterness, potential violence, and death.

Finally, the poem concludes with the enigmatic lines, "At a certain height / The tails of the kites for a moment are / Covered with footsteps / Whatever I have to do has not yet begun." This brings the focus back to the theme of uncertainty and unfulfilled potential. Even though life continues to move, its true purpose or destiny remains elusive.

Merwin's "It Is March" skillfully encapsulates a complex array of emotions and themes, from existential uncertainty to socioeconomic decay. It leaves the reader in a contemplative state, pondering the intricacies of time, life, and the future that is yet to unfold.

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