Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin’s poem "Presidents" is a scathing and poignant critique of power, deception, and the manipulative nature of political leadership. Through his vivid and often dark imagery, Merwin explores the consequences of authority when it is rooted in dishonesty, shame, and the exploitation of the masses. The poem's tone is one of deep disillusionment, as it paints a picture of a world where those in power perpetuate a cycle of lies, blindness, and control, all while the true experiences of grief and loss remain unaddressed and invisible.

The poem opens with a series of metaphorical titles: "The president of shame," "the president of lies," and "the president of loyalty," each representing a different facet of corrupt leadership. The "president of shame" having "his own flag" suggests that shame, once a private or personal feeling, has been institutionalized and celebrated as part of a national or organizational identity. This figure embodies the way shame has been appropriated and possibly weaponized, rather than being something to be rectified or overcome.

The "president of lies" who "quotes the voice of God" reflects the hypocrisy and moral corruption of leaders who misuse religion or moral authority to justify their deceit. By invoking divine authority, this president seeks to legitimize falsehoods, manipulating faith and trust to maintain control. The phrase "at last counted" may imply a moment of reckoning or accountability, but in the context of the poem, it feels hollow, as if the counting or accountability comes too late or is merely a formality.

The "president of loyalty recommends blindness to the blind" is a chilling line that critiques the exploitation of those who are already vulnerable or ignorant. This figure encourages a willful ignorance, ensuring that the blind remain blind, both literally and metaphorically. It suggests a leadership that thrives on maintaining the status quo of unawareness and subservience, discouraging any form of enlightenment or critical thought.

Merwin then introduces the haunting image of applause likened to "the heels of the hanged," a powerful metaphor for the twisted nature of public approval or support. This applause is not a sign of genuine approval but a macabre, automatic response to authority, even when that authority leads to destruction or death. The president "walks on eyes until they break then he rides," further reinforcing the idea of a leader who crushes the vision and perception of others, rendering them powerless and compliant before moving on to further conquests.

In stark contrast to these figures, the poem declares, "there is no president of grief," presenting grief as a realm beyond the reach of corrupt leadership. Grief, described as "a kingdom ancient absolute with no colors," stands apart from the world of political power, untouched by the manipulation and deceit that characterize the presidencies of shame, lies, and loyalty. This kingdom of grief is one where true emotions, loss, and suffering are pure, uncorrupted, and beyond the influence of those who seek to control everything else.

The phrase "its rule is never seen" suggests that grief operates in a different realm, invisible to those who do not experience it directly. It is not something that can be co-opted, appropriated, or displayed; it exists in silence and darkness. The messenger with a "black mouth open" running through vast lands, and the climber falling from cliffs with a "black mouth like a call," evoke images of despair and loss, as these figures cry out in vain, their voices swallowed by the silence that surrounds grief.

The final line, "there is only one subject but he is repeated tirelessly," points to the monotonous and relentless nature of the cycle of power and control. Despite the different faces of leadership—shame, lies, loyalty—the underlying subject is always the same: the perpetuation of power through manipulation and deceit. This repetition is exhausting and inescapable, reflecting the cyclical nature of corrupt leadership and the endless struggle against it.

"Presidents" by William Stanley Merwin is a profound commentary on the corrupting influence of power and the ways in which leaders manipulate truth, loyalty, and faith to maintain control. Through its stark and evocative imagery, the poem captures the despair and futility felt in the face of such authority, while also acknowledging the unassailable nature of grief, which remains untouched by these manipulations. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of complacency and the importance of recognizing and resisting the cycles of corruption that persist in society.

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