Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"For Guillaume Apollinaire" by William Meredith is a contemplative poem that reflects on the task of translating the works of the French poet Guillaume Apollinaire into English. The poem explores themes of language, memory, and the passage of time, weaving together personal reflections with meditations on the historical and cultural context of Apollinaire's life and work.

The poem opens with an evocative description: "The day is colorless like Swiss characters in a novel." This comparison suggests a bland, neutral atmosphere, perhaps implying a sense of detachment or routine. The speaker situates themselves in "an old house left to the arts," where they engage in the scholarly task of teaching Apollinaire's poems in English. The setting—a house dedicated to artistic pursuits—creates an environment steeped in history and culture, fitting for the act of translation.

Meredith notes the peculiarities and limitations of translation, particularly focusing on French words in the dictionary starting with "W." He observes that these words, such as "wesleyen, wigwam, wisigoth, / And wattman," are borrowings from other languages and cultures, highlighting the eclectic and borrowed nature of language itself. The mention of "wattman, an archaic electrical-tram driver" underscores the passage of time and the obsolescence of certain terms, much like Apollinaire's era, which feels distant and historical.

The poem then turns to a personal reflection: "If you were alive this summer you'd be 82." This line brings Apollinaire's presence into the contemporary moment, imagining him as an elderly man, a poignant reminder of his early death and the life he might have lived. The mention of the fourth floor of the mansion being "servants' country" reflects on the history of the building, once bustling with the lives of chambermaids, kitchenmaids, footmen, a butler, and a cook. The poem notes that "somewhere there must be almost an acre of them now / Laid out in the Romanesque floor plan under the sod," indicating that those who once served in the house have long since passed away, buried and forgotten. This image poignantly parallels the fate of Apollinaire and his contemporaries, now resting in history.

The speaker acknowledges the house as "a good place to work," suggesting a conducive environment for scholarly and creative endeavors. However, the real focus is on the poems themselves: "But these poems— / How quickly the strangeness would pass from things if it were / not for them." This reflection emphasizes the power of poetry to preserve the "strangeness" or unique perspective of the world. It suggests that without the lens of poetry, the world might become mundane and familiar, losing its mystery and depth. The strangeness in Apollinaire's work, characterized by his avant-garde style and surrealist themes, offers a way to see the world differently, keeping it vibrant and intriguing.

"For Guillaume Apollinaire" captures the intricate process of engaging with a poet's legacy through translation, exploring the challenges of capturing the essence of the original language and cultural context. Meredith's poem reflects on the passage of time, the fading of history, and the enduring power of poetry to keep the world fresh and enigmatic. The poem serves as a tribute to Apollinaire and the lasting impact of his work, highlighting the importance of preserving and engaging with literary art across languages and generations.

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