Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Rhode Island," William Meredith reflects on the contrasts between seasons, cultures, and personal perceptions, all set against the backdrop of a summer day at the beach. The poem captures the transient, almost theatrical quality of life at the seashore, drawing parallels between the natural world and human behaviors. Meredith's keen observations and contemplative tone explore themes of nostalgia, the passage of time, and the dissonance between different states of being.

The poem begins with a whimsical observation: "Here at the seashore they use the clouds over & over / again, like the rented animals in Aïda." This comparison to the opera "Aïda," known for its grandiose and repetitive use of props and extras, sets a playful tone. The clouds, like the rented animals, are reused, suggesting a cyclical and predictable nature to the beach environment. This is further emphasized by the description of the "land breeze" turning, causing the "extras" (the clouds) to "drive all the white elephants the other way," evoking a sense of choreographed movement in nature.

Meredith then shifts focus to a man lying on the beach, listening to the sounds around him. The sound of "sand knocks like glass, struck by bare heels" prompts him to try and recall the sound of snow, wondering if "powder snow ping[s] like that." This contrast between summer sand and winter snow highlights the stark differences between seasons. The man's struggle to remember "his season" — winter, a time when "the mind is in charge of things" — suggests a longing for a time of clarity and order, as opposed to the chaotic and sensual nature of summer.

The poem delves into the sensory and often erotic aspects of the beach environment: "Summer is for animals, the ocean is erotic, / all that openness and swaying." Meredith captures the heightened awareness of physicality in the summer, where "No matter how often you make love / in August you’re always aware of genitalia." This line speaks to the physical self-consciousness that summer, with its minimal clothing and warm weather, brings about. The comparison of bathers to "porpoises, / mammals disporting themselves in a blue element, / smelling slightly of fish" further emphasizes the animalistic and primal nature of this season. The mention of "Porpoise Hazard" watching himself like a "blue movie" suggests a detached, almost voyeuristic self-awareness, a recognition of one's own animal nature.

Meredith contrasts this summer scene with a reflection on the other hemisphere, where people "are standing up, at work at their easels." This juxtaposition highlights the differences between the carefree, sensual atmosphere of the beach and the more serious, productive activities elsewhere. The poem suggests that while those at the beach are preoccupied with the immediate and physical, people in the other hemisphere think about "love at night / when they take off their serious clothes / and go to bed sandlessly, under blankets." This contrast underscores the different rhythms of life dictated by season and location.

The final stanza returns to the beach, where children, including the man's own, "are apparently shouting fluently in Portuguese, / using the colonial dialect of Brazil." This playful observation of the children's imagined language highlights their transformation into "small shrill marginal animals," a metaphor for their exuberant and untamed nature. The man's decision that "he would not want to understand them again / until after Labor Day" reflects a desire for distance from the chaotic energy of summer and a longing for the return of order and routine.

In the poem's closing line, "He just lays there," Meredith subtly critiques the man's passive stance, using the incorrect form "lays" instead of "lies," as if to underscore his detachment and surrender to the summer's languid atmosphere. This small error serves as a reminder of the man's earlier contemplation about grammar, further highlighting his displacement and the casual, unstructured nature of the season.

"Rhode Island" encapsulates the ephemeral and sensory-rich experience of summer at the beach, contrasting it with the colder, more introspective qualities of winter and other parts of the world. Meredith's exploration of the tension between these states of being, along with his vivid and imaginative imagery, creates a rich tapestry that captures the complexity and beauty of seasonal and personal transitions.

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