Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Crossing Over" by William Meredith explores the themes of interconnectedness, mutual support, and the existential challenges of life. The poem uses the metaphor of crossing a river on a melting floe to convey the precariousness and inevitability of the journey that people share. Meredith reflects on the weight of personal burdens and the necessity of supporting one another in an uncertain world.

The opening line, "We are one another's floe," sets the tone for the poem by emphasizing mutual reliance. The metaphor of a floe, a floating sheet of ice, suggests fragility and transience. Each person, like a floe, "displaces the weight / of his own need," indicating that individuals carry their own burdens but can also support each other. The speaker's self-description, "I am fat as a bloodhound, / hold me up," humorously yet poignantly acknowledges his own heaviness, both physically and metaphorically. The request for support is coupled with an assurance: "I won't hurt you," indicating a desire for mutual trust and care.

The imagery of the speaker as a baying bloodhound conveys a sense of vulnerability and earnestness. Despite this, the speaker expresses a willingness to "swim with you on my back until the cold / seeped into my heart." This line highlights a commitment to support others, even at personal risk or discomfort, underscoring the depth of the connection and responsibility felt towards one another.

The poem then broadens its focus to a collective experience: "We are committed, we / are going across this river willy-nilly." The journey across the river represents life's challenges and transitions, which are inevitable and must be faced together. The mention of "No one, black or white, is free in Kentucky," emphasizes the shared human condition, where everyone, regardless of race, is bound by the same natural laws and societal constraints. The phrase "old gravity owns everybody" poetically conveys the inescapable reality of life's burdens and limitations.

The speaker expresses a moment of contemplation, "I contemplate this unfavorable aspect of things," pondering the lack of solid ground or certainty in life. The question, "Where is something solid? Only you and me," suggests that the only reliable foundation is the relationship and support between individuals. This reliance is contrasted with a humorous skepticism about stability elsewhere: "Has anyone ever been to Ohio? / Do the people there stand firmly on icebergs?" This question rhetorically underscores the universal nature of uncertainty, implying that no place offers absolute security.

The poem's central metaphor, "Here all we have is love, a great undulating / raft, melting steadily," reinforces the idea that love, while powerful, is also impermanent and fragile. The melting raft symbolizes the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of change, yet the decision to "go out on it / anyhow" reflects a courageous acceptance of these realities. The repeated declaration "I love you" affirms the importance of love and connection in navigating the uncertainties of life.

The final lines, "The thing we have to learn is how to walk light," offer a poignant conclusion. This advice suggests the need for grace, adaptability, and perhaps a sense of humor in facing life's challenges. To "walk light" implies not being overly burdened by the weight of the world, maintaining a balance between the heaviness of existence and the lightness of human connection and love.

In "Crossing Over," Meredith eloquently captures the human experience of navigating life's uncertainties with the support of others. The poem's use of metaphor and contemplative tone invites readers to reflect on the nature of mutual dependence, the inevitability of change, and the enduring, albeit fragile, power of love. The message is one of resilience and hope, urging a mindful and compassionate approach to the shared journey of life.

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