Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin’s poem “Eyes of the Drowned Watch Keels Going Over” is a haunting reflection on the nature of existence, memory, and the search for meaning. Through the use of vivid and surreal imagery, Merwin delves into the perspective of the drowned—those who exist in a state of suspension beneath the surface of life, observing the world above with a detached and introspective gaze. The poem explores themes of disconnection, the quest for understanding, and the enigmatic relationship between humanity and the cosmos.

The opening line, "Where the light has no horizons we lie," immediately sets a tone of liminality and timelessness. The "light" here lacks boundaries, suggesting a realm where traditional concepts of space and time are irrelevant. The drowned lie in a place where depth replaces distance, indicating a profound immersion in the depths of existence, where the usual markers of the world above—horizons, distances—are absent.

As the poem unfolds, the speaker describes a scene reminiscent of childhood memories: "As once on the long swing under the trees / In the drowse of summer we slid to and fro." This image of swinging under the trees in the soft summer air evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence, contrasting with the present state of the drowned, who now lie in the depths. The comparison between the swaying motion of the swing and the movement of the drowned in the water suggests a cyclical or repetitive pattern in life, where the past continues to influence the present.

The poem shifts to a description of the keels of ships "going over" the drowned. The keels "churn their wrought courses" between the eyes of the fish and the light above, moving with neither the grace of birds nor the serenity of stars. The ships, symbolic of human endeavor and progress, are depicted as laboring and jagged in their movements, lacking the natural ease and harmony of other elements of the natural world. This suggests a disconnect between human activity and the larger, more tranquil forces of the universe.

Merwin poses the question: "Why should we, rocking on shoal-pillow, / With our eyes cling to them, and their wakes follow, / Who follow nothing?" This question reflects the existential dilemma of the drowned, who are drawn to the movement of the ships above, even though these vessels seem to follow no true course or purpose. The drowned, existing in a state of suspension and contemplation, are caught between their instinctive desire to follow and a growing awareness of the futility of that pursuit.

The poem then touches on the stars, symbols of clarity, fate, and guidance: "If we could remember / The stars in their clarity, we might understand now / Why we pursued stars." This longing to remember the stars suggests a lost connection to a time when the pursuit of meaning and destiny was clearer, guided by the distant and fixed points in the sky. The drowned, in their current state, struggle to understand their own purpose, as the memory of the stars—of a time when life’s path seemed more certain—has faded.

Merwin concludes with a reflection on the relationship between humanity and the stars: "how it was that we traced / In their remote courses not their own fates but ours." This line suggests that in seeking to understand the stars, humans were not merely interested in the destiny of these celestial bodies, but rather in their own fate and purpose as reflected in the stars. The pursuit of the stars becomes a metaphor for the human quest to find meaning and direction in a vast, often incomprehensible universe.

“Eyes of the Drowned Watch Keels Going Over” is a profound exploration of the human condition, examining the tension between the search for meaning and the realization of our limitations. Through its use of rich, evocative imagery and a tone of quiet introspection, the poem invites readers to consider the ways in which we navigate the complexities of existence, how we seek to understand our place in the world, and the mysterious connection between our lives and the broader cosmos. Merwin’s meditation on the drowned, caught between memory and oblivion, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility and persistence of human curiosity and the enduring quest for understanding.

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