Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Present" is an evocative exploration of time, memory, and the search for meaning in the face of life's fleeting moments. The poem's language and imagery weave together past, present, and future, creating a contemplative meditation on the elusive nature of experience and the human desire to understand our place in the world. Through its layered metaphors and introspective tone, the poem delves into themes of continuity, self-discovery, and the often paradoxical nature of human existence.

The poem opens with a surreal and almost mystical image: "The walls join hands and / It is tomorrow." This personification of walls joining hands suggests a coming together or an agreement of boundaries, signaling a transition from the present into the future. The idea that it "is tomorrow" implies that the passage of time is seamless, as if the present moment is continually slipping into what lies ahead. This sets the stage for the poem's exploration of how time moves and how we experience it.

The following lines introduce a series of interconnected images: "The birds clucking to the horses, the horses / Doing the numbers for the hell of it, / The numbers playing the calendars, / The saints marching in." These lines evoke a world where animals and inanimate objects engage in playful, almost whimsical activities, blurring the lines between the mundane and the sacred. The horses "doing the numbers for the hell of it" suggest a sense of randomness or purposelessness, while the "numbers playing the calendars" imply that time itself is a game, something that can be manipulated or interpreted in various ways. The "saints marching in" could be seen as a reference to the inevitability of time's passage, with the saints representing both the passage of time and the traditions or beliefs that mark it.

The poem then shifts to a more introspective tone, as the speaker reflects on the passage of time: "It seems only yesterday, / when what I keep saying to myself is Take a leaf from the fire, open / Your hand, see / Where you are going." This moment of reflection captures the tension between the past and the present, as the speaker acknowledges how quickly time seems to pass ("It seems only yesterday"). The phrase "Take a leaf from the fire" suggests an attempt to grasp something ephemeral, to hold onto a moment or a memory that is as fleeting as a leaf in a fire. The instruction to "open / Your hand, see / Where you are going" encourages mindfulness and awareness, urging the speaker (and the reader) to be present and to recognize the direction of their journey.

The speaker then reveals a deeper quest: "When what I am trying to find is / The beginning, / In the ashes, / A wing." This search for "the beginning" in the ashes indicates a desire to uncover the origins of something that has been consumed or lost. The "wing" in the ashes suggests the possibility of renewal or rebirth, even after destruction. It could symbolize hope, freedom, or the potential for new beginnings that emerge from the remnants of the past.

The poem continues with a poignant reflection on human relationships: "When what we are looking for / In each other / Is each other." This line captures the essence of human connection, highlighting the idea that in our interactions and relationships, we are ultimately seeking to find and understand one another on a deeper level. The repetition of "each other" emphasizes the mutuality of this search, as well as the importance of recognizing the humanity in those around us.

The closing lines of the poem bring together the cosmic and the mundane: "The stars at noon, / While the light worships its blind god." The image of "the stars at noon" suggests something extraordinary or impossible, as stars are typically visible only at night. This could symbolize the presence of something profound or divine in the most unexpected places or moments. The "light worships its blind god" conveys the idea that even light—often a symbol of knowledge or clarity—follows a higher power that it cannot fully understand. This line could be interpreted as a commentary on faith, the mysteries of existence, or the limitations of human understanding.

"Present" is a richly layered poem that invites readers to reflect on the nature of time, memory, and the human search for meaning. Through its vivid imagery and introspective tone, Merwin explores the ways in which we navigate the passage of time, the connections we seek with one another, and the moments of clarity or revelation that can arise even in the midst of uncertainty. The poem ultimately suggests that while life is full of fleeting moments and elusive meanings, there is beauty and significance to be found in the ongoing process of searching and being present in the world.

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