'Well Water' by Randall Jarrell
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What a girl called "the dailiness of life"
(Adding an errand to your errand.Saying,
"Since you're up . . ." Making you a means to
A means to a means to) is well water
Pumped from an old well at the bottom of the world.
The pump you pump the water from is rusty
And hard to move and absurd, a squirrel-wheel
A sick squirrel turns slowly, through the sunny
Inexorable hours.And yet sometimes
The wheel turns of its own weight, the rusty
Pump pumps over your sweating face the clear
Water, cold, so cold! you cup your hands
And gulp from them the dailiness of life.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Well Water" by Randall Jarrell: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Metaphor
As I read Randall Jarrell's poem "Well Water" for the first time, I was struck by the vividness of its imagery and the complexity of its meaning. The poem, which was published in 1962, is a meditation on the nature of memory and perception, and the ways in which they shape our understanding of the world. Through a series of striking metaphors and vivid descriptions, Jarrell takes us on a journey into the depths of the human psyche, exploring the ways in which our past experiences inform our present reality.
The poem begins with a description of a well, which serves as a metaphor for the human mind. "The well was dry beside the door, / And so we went with pail and can / Across the fields behind the house / To seek the brook if still it ran," Jarrell writes. This simple image sets the stage for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of absence and longing. The fact that the well is dry suggests that something is missing, and the need to go in search of water implies that there is a thirst that needs to be quenched.
As the speaker and his companion make their way across the fields, they encounter a variety of sights and sounds that serve to heighten their awareness of the natural world. "The autumn sun hung low in the sky," Jarrell writes, "And when we reached the orchard wall / We saw the wasps had tunneled there / Like suns, or like the sunken stars." This image of the wasps as "suns" or "sunken stars" is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests a hidden danger lurking beneath the surface of things. The fact that the wasps have tunneled into the wall also implies a kind of invasion, as if they are trying to penetrate the barrier between the human world and the natural world.
As the speaker and his companion continue on their journey, they encounter a variety of other natural phenomena, including a spider's web, a butterfly, and a moth. Each of these images serves to deepen their sense of wonder and amazement at the beauty and complexity of the natural world. At the same time, however, they also serve to remind them of the transience and fragility of life. The spider's web, for example, is described as "A thing of beauty that could bring / Nothing but ugliness and pain." Similarly, the butterfly and moth are both depicted as delicate and fleeting, existing only briefly before disappearing into the ether.
As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from the natural world to the realm of memory and perception. "The empty house in which we knew / The rose was white, the fire burns red," Jarrell writes, "Is empty still, the ghostly sleet / Across our footsteps walks." This passage is particularly striking, as it suggests that memory is not simply a matter of recollection, but is also a kind of active presence that can shape our perceptions of the world around us. The fact that the house is "empty still" suggests that the speaker and his companion are haunted by their memories of it, and the "ghostly sleet" that walks across their footsteps serves as a reminder of the ways in which the past can intrude upon the present.
At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that memory is not a fixed or objective reality, but is rather a kind of subjective construct that can be shaped and reshaped over time. "And all our past is like a flight / Of pictures flickering on a screen," Jarrell writes, "A beam of light that's bright and transient / The pictures vivid, intimate, and fleet." This passage is particularly interesting, as it suggests that memory is not a static thing, but is rather a kind of dynamic process that is constantly in flux. The fact that the pictures are described as "bright and transient" implies that memory is not something that can be held onto, but is rather a kind of fleeting glimpse into the past.
Overall, "Well Water" is a stunning example of the power of poetry to convey complex ideas and emotions through the use of vivid imagery and metaphor. Jarrell's use of the well as a metaphor for the human mind is particularly effective, as it serves to anchor the poem in a concrete image while also allowing for a wide range of interpretations. The poem's exploration of memory and perception is both profound and thought-provoking, and its evocation of the natural world is both beautiful and haunting. In short, "Well Water" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to Randall Jarrell's skill as a writer and thinker.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a beautiful art form that has the power to evoke deep emotions and connect us to our innermost thoughts and feelings. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Well Water" by Randall Jarrell. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of life and the human experience in a way that is both profound and moving.
The poem begins with a simple image of a well, which is a symbol of life and the source of sustenance. The speaker describes the well as "dark and deep" and "cool and sweet," which creates a sense of mystery and wonder. The well is also described as "old" and "forgotten," which suggests that it has been around for a long time and has seen many things.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of life and the passage of time. He notes that the well has seen "the rise and fall of empires" and "the birth and death of men." This imagery is powerful because it reminds us that life is fleeting and that everything we do is ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The speaker also reflects on the nature of memory and how it shapes our perception of the world. He notes that the well "holds all memories" and that it is a "mirror of all stars." This suggests that the well is a repository of all human experience and that it reflects the beauty and wonder of the universe.
The poem also explores the theme of mortality and the inevitability of death. The speaker notes that the well is "the grave of all men's hopes" and that it is "the end of all beginnings." This imagery is powerful because it reminds us that death is a natural part of life and that we must all face it eventually.
Despite the heavy themes explored in the poem, there is also a sense of hope and renewal. The speaker notes that the well is "the beginning of all things new" and that it is "the source of all life." This suggests that even though death is inevitable, there is always the possibility of new beginnings and that life is a cycle that continues on.
Overall, "Well Water" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the nature of life, memory, and mortality. It is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must cherish every moment we have. It is also a reminder that death is a natural part of life and that we must embrace it as such. This poem is a true masterpiece of poetry and a testament to the power of language to evoke deep emotions and connect us to our innermost thoughts and feelings.
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