Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin’s poem “What Is a Garden” is a contemplative reflection on the relationship between nature, time, and human intervention. Through richly descriptive language, Merwin explores the concept of a garden not just as a physical space, but as a living, evolving entity that exists within the broader cycles of nature and time. The poem invites readers to consider the delicate interplay between human cultivation and the untamed forces of the natural world, ultimately suggesting that a garden is a place of both discovery and mystery.

The poem begins with the speaker working contentedly near a stream, immersed in the natural environment: “All day working happily down near the stream bed.” This opening line sets a tone of peaceful engagement with the landscape, as the speaker describes the light “passing into the remote opalescence / it returns to as the year wakes toward winter.” The “remote opalescence” evokes a sense of distance and subtle beauty, hinting at the quiet transformation of the landscape as the seasons change.

Merwin then moves into a description of the “season of rain,” a time characterized by abundance and the persistence of water: “a year already rich / in rain with masked light emerging on all sides.” The imagery here conveys a sense of fullness and saturation, where the light, though subdued, still permeates the environment, enhancing the new growth of palms “quietly waving.” The presence of water is a recurring motif, symbolizing both life and the passage of time, as the speaker overhears “the water under the sloped ground going on whispering / as it travels.”

The poem captures the dynamic and sometimes tumultuous nature of this season, with rain “thundering at night” and rocks “rolling and echoing in the torrent.” Despite these powerful forces, there is also a sense of tranquility and continuity, as the speaker looks up to see “fine rain drifting across the sunlight / over the valley.” This image of rain moving gently through sunlight suggests the coexistence of calm and intensity within the natural world, a balance that the speaker seems to appreciate and respect.

Merwin introduces the idea of a valley “that was abused and at last left / to fill with thickets of rampant aliens.” This reference to the valley’s history of neglect and subsequent overgrowth of non-native species underscores the tension between human activity and the resilience of nature. The “rampant aliens” bring “habits but no stories,” indicating that while they may thrive in this environment, they lack the deep, rooted connection to the land’s history and narrative.

In the midst of this overgrown valley, the speaker continues to make discoveries, finding “beneath the tangle the ancient shaping of water / to which the light of an hour comes back as to a secret.” This line suggests that despite the apparent chaos, there is an underlying order and history to the landscape, shaped by water over time. The light’s return “as to a secret” implies that the garden holds mysteries and truths that are revealed slowly, only to those who take the time to observe and listen.

The speaker’s actions in the garden are deliberate yet intuitive: “there I planted young palms in places I had not pondered / until then I imagined their roots setting out in the dark.” This suggests a deep, almost instinctual connection to the land, where decisions are made not through careful planning, but through a kind of inner knowledge or feeling. The image of the roots “setting out in the dark” conveys a sense of growth and exploration beneath the surface, a process that is both hidden and essential.

The poem concludes with the speaker “trying to see them standing / in that bend of the valley in the light that would come.” This forward-looking vision emphasizes the continuity of time and the ongoing relationship between the present actions and future outcomes. The light that “would come” represents hope and possibility, a future where the garden, shaped by both human and natural forces, will continue to evolve and reveal its secrets.

“What Is a Garden” is a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of nature, time, and human effort. Merwin’s lyrical descriptions and thoughtful reflections invite readers to consider a garden not merely as a cultivated space, but as a dynamic environment that embodies both the history and potential of the natural world. The poem suggests that a garden is a place of ongoing discovery, where the past shapes the present, and the present, in turn, lays the groundwork for the future. Through this intricate interplay, the garden becomes a metaphor for the deeper, often unseen processes of life and growth that connect us all.

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