Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

James Merrill's poem "Lovers" presents a meditative and richly symbolic exploration of intimacy, work, and the cyclical nature of life. Through the metaphor of hands that have toiled and now pause for a moment of cleansing, Merrill delves into the themes of creation, reflection, and the convergence of the mundane with the divine.

The poem begins with an image of two lovers meeting, described as "the hands of one / Who having worked six days with creature and plant / Washes his hands before the evening meal." This biblical allusion to the six days of creation immediately situates the lovers' union within a context of labor, rest, and ritual. The act of washing hands, a gesture of purification and preparation, serves as a metaphor for the lovers' connection—an act that is both ordinary and sacred.

Merrill continues by focusing on the reflection of the "golden sky" in a basin of water where the hands are washed. The sky's golden hue suggests the approach of evening, a time of closure and contemplation. The water, described as "coldly wishing," adds a layer of detachment or distance, emphasizing the transition from the physical labor of the day to the introspective peace of the evening. The water's surface, as it receives the hands, becomes a medium through which the day's residue is cleansed, leaving behind "what of one another / Each with its five felt perceptions holds."

These "five felt perceptions" represent the sensory and emotional imprints left by the day's work, or perhaps by the lovers' relationship itself. The "limber warmth, finesse of palm and nail" evoke a deep familiarity and intimacy that have been "articulate in his mind" long before they were physically realized. The hands, therefore, become a symbol of both the tangible and the intangible—the work done and the thoughts that precede and accompany it.

As the hands are immersed in the water, the poem shifts focus to the surrounding landscape: "His eye has leisure for the young fruit-trees / And lowing beasts secure, since night is near." This serene image of nature, secure and at rest as night approaches, mirrors the peaceful act of cleansing and the quiet satisfaction that follows a day of work. The reflection of the sky in the basin, "Molten, atilt, strewn on the basin," suggests a world in flux, yet contained within the small, everyday action of washing hands.

The poem then introduces a moment of heightened reflection as the man "dips his face" into the water, lifting it "glistening." Here, the imagery of water and sky becomes more complex, as the man's features are reflected in the golden water. This act of immersion and reflection symbolizes a deeper engagement with the self, where the "dark distinct / Reflections of his features upon gold" represent a moment of self-recognition and understanding. Yet, this clarity is fleeting, as each "slow slight water-drop" that falls from his face "mar[s] the image," reminding us of the transient nature of such moments of insight.

The drops of water, each containing "tiny world[s] of sky reversed and branches," symbolize the myriad possibilities and variations of life that are constantly in motion, each drop falling back into the basin, altering the reflection and yet leaving "so much world left." This interplay between permanence and change, certitude and chance, is likened to the strong, slow turning of "thumbs" as the man sits by the fire, contemplating life.

In the final lines, Merrill invokes the imagery of an "illuminated page" that speaks of "harvest, flood, motherhood, mystery." These themes suggest the cycles of life—growth, destruction, creation, and the unknown—waiting to "issue from his hands." The hands, having been washed and reflecting on the work done and the work yet to come, are now prepared to take on new tasks, informed by the day's experiences and the insights gained from moments of quiet reflection.

"Lovers" is a poem that beautifully captures the intersection of the physical and the metaphysical, where the simple act of washing hands becomes a profound meditation on love, work, and the cycles of life. Merrill's use of rich, symbolic imagery invites readers to consider the ways in which our everyday actions are imbued with deeper meanings, and how moments of reflection can lead to a greater understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Through this lens, the lovers' meeting is not just a union of two people, but a convergence of the divine and the mundane, where creation and contemplation go hand in hand.

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