Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Letter" is a poignant and introspective reflection on time, memory, and the inevitable passage toward death. The poem is structured as a letter, a form that traditionally conveys personal and intimate communication, but in this case, it speaks to the profound and often unsettling realities of life’s journey, the continuity of existence despite change, and the enduring connection between the speaker and the addressee.

The poem begins with a temporal marker: "By the time you read this / it is dark on the next page." This opening sets the tone for the entire poem, suggesting that time has moved forward, and with it, the landscape has shifted into darkness. The "next page" could symbolize the unknown future or the transition to another stage in life—or even death. The mention of mourners who "sleep there feeling their feet in the tide" evokes a sense of finality and the liminal space between life and death, where the living are still connected to the physical world even as they approach its end.

The next lines introduce a personal connection: "before me in the dusk an animal rose and vanished your name / you have been with me also in the descent the winter you remember." The animal rising and vanishing could symbolize fleeting moments of clarity or realization, where the addressee's presence (or memory) emerges briefly before fading away. The phrase "you have been with me also in the descent" suggests a shared experience of hardship or decline, possibly referencing aging, loss, or the inevitable approach of death. The "winter" mentioned is a potent metaphor for the cold, dormant, or ending phase of life, tying back to the idea of descent.

Merwin then contemplates the persistence of names and identities: "how many things come to one name hoping to be fed / it changes but the name for it is still the same." Here, the name becomes a repository for various experiences, memories, and identities that converge over time. Despite the changes that occur, the name remains a constant, a thread that ties together the many facets of a person’s life. The repetition of "it is still the same" reinforces the idea of continuity despite change, echoing the tension between transformation and permanence.

The poem continues with vivid imagery: "hungry birds in the junipers all night / snow / all night." These lines evoke a sense of persistence and endurance in the face of cold and darkness, symbolizing the ongoing struggle and hunger for meaning, warmth, or connection, even as the world around remains harsh and unyielding.

Merwin shifts focus to the concept of home and finality: "by the time you read this the address of the last house / that we will sleep in together on earth will have been paid as a price." The "last house" refers to the final resting place, likely a metaphor for death or a grave. The idea that it "will have been paid as a price" suggests that life and its experiences are transactional, with death being the ultimate cost. This price is not just financial but existential, reflecting the culmination of a life lived.

The poem then delves into the relentless march of time and the modern mechanisms that measure and record it: "dialled on a telephone worn as identification / passed on speedometers in unmarked places / multiplied by machines divided divided undistracted." These lines paint a picture of a life quantified and documented by technology, yet ultimately reduced to impersonal data points. The repetition of "divided" emphasizes fragmentation and the mechanical nature of modern existence, contrasting with the deeply personal and emotional experiences the poem conveys.

The mention of a "faceless angel / whom each rain washes nearer to himself" introduces a spiritual or metaphysical element, suggesting a presence that watches over the passage of time and the inevitable approach of death. This "faceless angel" could symbolize the abstract forces of fate, time, or death itself, which come closer with each passing moment, unnoticed but inevitable.

The poem ends with a repeated assertion: "but I tell you / by the time you read this wherever / I tell you." This unfinished thought leaves the reader in a state of anticipation, mirroring the uncertainty of life and the unknown that lies ahead. The repetition of "I tell you" underscores the speaker's urgency in communicating this message, even as it remains open-ended and unresolved, much like life itself.

"Letter" is a deeply introspective and moving exploration of the passage of time, the persistence of memory, and the inescapable approach of death. Through its rich imagery and reflective tone, the poem captures the tension between the continuity of life and the fragmentation imposed by time, technology, and mortality. Merwin's meditation on these themes invites readers to consider their own experiences of loss, change, and the enduring connections that persist even as time moves inexorably forward.

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