Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Muriel Rukeyser's poem "Watchers" delves into the intricate dynamics of relationships, the interplay between love and conflict, and the profound impact of dreams and memories on our waking lives. The poem is a deeply intimate exploration of two individuals' subconscious worlds, their interconnectedness, and the narrator's reflective insights.

The poem opens with a scene of repose: "She said to me, He lay there sleeping / Upon my bed cast down / With all the bitterness dissolved at last, / An innocent peace within a sleeping head." This introduction sets a tone of temporary tranquility, suggesting that sleep has provided a respite from the conflicts and tensions of waking life. The "bitterness dissolved at last" implies a history of strife or emotional turmoil that is momentarily abated in sleep.

As the poem continues, the tension between past conflicts and the present moment of peace is explored: "He could not find his infant war, nor turn / To that particular zoo, his family of the dead." The phrase "infant war" suggests deep-seated, perhaps childhood-originating struggles, while "his family of the dead" indicates lingering traumas or unresolved issues from his past. Sleep offers an escape from these internal battles, creating a fragile sanctuary.

The woman's perspective reveals a complex mix of emotions: "I saw her smile of power against his deep / Heart, his waking heart, / Her enmity, her sexual dread." The "smile of power" indicates a sense of control or dominance, while "enmity" and "sexual dread" suggest underlying fears and conflicts within the relationship. These lines capture the paradoxical nature of intimacy, where closeness can both comfort and exacerbate fears.

The poem then shifts to the man's perspective: "He said to me, She slept and dreaming / Brought round her face / Closer to me in silence than in fire." His description of her face coming closer in sleep suggests a more profound connection in their unconscious states than in their waking interactions. The "silence" contrasts with the "fire" of waking life, highlighting the peace found in dreams.

The man's contemplation continues: "But smiled, but smiled, entering her dark life / Whose hours I never knew, wherein she smiles." His repeated mention of her smile underscores its significance, possibly as a mask or a fleeting expression of genuine emotion. Her "dark life" and the unknown hours hint at the mysteries and complexities of her inner world, which he can only glimpse in moments of vulnerability.

The poem's imagery becomes more vivid and symbolic: "Deep in his face, the wanderer / Bringing the gifts of legend and the wars, / Conspiracy of opposing images." The "wanderer" in his face represents the struggles and stories he carries within him, a mix of "legend and wars." The "conspiracy of opposing images" encapsulates the contradictions and dualities within his psyche.

Rukeyser then shifts to a collective dreamscape: "In the long room of dream I saw them sleep, / Turned to each other, clear, / With an obliterated look." This scene of mutual slumber suggests a moment of clarity and connection, unmarred by the complexities of waking life. The "obliterated look" implies a temporary erasure of their conflicts and fears.

The closing lines of the poem are deeply reflective and poignant: "I weep to go beyond this stone and the waterlight, / To kiss their eyelids for the last time and pass / From the delicate confidence of their sly throats, / The conversation of their flesh of dreams." The narrator expresses a sorrowful longing to move beyond the ephemeral beauty and intimacy of the dream state. The act of kissing their eyelids signifies a farewell to the dreamworld's fragile, transient connection.

The poem concludes with a powerful resolution: "And though I weep in my dream, / When I wake I will not weep." This final declaration suggests a recognition that the deep emotions and connections experienced in dreams do not always translate to waking life. The narrator acknowledges the necessity of moving forward, leaving behind the dream's poignant yet unreal interactions.

"Watchers" by Muriel Rukeyser is a richly layered exploration of love, conflict, and the profound impact of dreams. Through its evocative imagery and introspective tone, the poem delves into the complexities of human relationships, highlighting the delicate balance between intimacy and estrangement, peace and turmoil. Rukeyser's work invites readers to reflect on the intricate dynamics of their own relationships and the mysterious, often elusive nature of emotional connection.

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