'Whenever I Go There' by W.S. Merwin

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Whenever I go there everything is changedThe stamps on the bandages the titles
Of the professors of waterThe portrait of Glare the reasons for
The white mourningIn new rocks new insects are sitting
With the lights off
And once more I remember that the beginningIs brokenNo wonder the addresses are tornTo which I make my way eating the silence of animals
Offering snow to the darknessToday belongs to few and tomorrow to no one

Editor 1 Interpretation

Whenever I Go There by W.S. Merwin: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Whenever I go there, everything is perfect.

These words, the opening line of W.S. Merwin's poem, "Whenever I Go There," capture the essence of the piece. The poem is a meditation on the idea of perfection - what it means to each of us, how it feels, and whether it can truly exist. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and a sense of longing, Merwin creates a poem that is both beautiful and haunting.

Form and Structure

At first glance, "Whenever I Go There" appears to be a simple poem. It consists of only four stanzas, each composed of just two lines. However, upon closer examination, it becomes apparent that Merwin has deliberately crafted the poem in this way to create a sense of symmetry and balance. Each line is exactly the same length, and each stanza contains a variation on the same phrase: "Whenever I go there."

Through this repetition, Merwin creates a sense of ritual and routine. The narrator of the poem seems to be describing a place that he or she visits often, and the repetition of the phrase "Whenever I go there" reinforces this sense of familiarity. The reader gets the sense that the narrator has been to this place many times, and that each time he or she goes there, it is a kind of pilgrimage.

Imagery

One of the most striking features of "Whenever I Go There" is the vivid imagery that Merwin uses to describe the place the narrator is visiting. The opening lines of the poem set the scene:

Whenever I go there everything is perfect,
the buildings with no windows stand like endless walls,

The image of buildings with no windows immediately creates a sense of isolation and separation. The buildings are described as "endless walls," which suggests that they are so large and imposing that they seem to go on forever. There is a sense of awe and reverence in this description - the buildings are almost like monuments, or temples.

This sense of reverence is reinforced in the next stanza:

the water flows smoothly without clutter
meeting the sky in the metallic void

The image of water flowing smoothly without clutter creates a sense of calm and tranquility. The water seems to be a symbol of purity and clarity, and the fact that it meets the sky in a "metallic void" suggests that the place the narrator is describing is almost otherworldly. It is a place that seems to exist outside of time and space.

Theme

The theme of "Whenever I Go There" is the idea of perfection. The narrator describes a place that is perfect in every way - the buildings are flawless, the water is pure and clear, and the air is clean and fresh. This sense of perfection is reinforced through the repetition of the opening phrase "Whenever I go there everything is perfect."

However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that this sense of perfection is unattainable. The final stanza reads:

I knock on the door and it opens
but I am never there

This final line is both beautiful and haunting. It suggests that the narrator has been striving for perfection, but that it is always just out of reach. The idea of knocking on a door that opens suggests that there is a way into this perfect world, but the fact that the narrator is never there suggests that he or she can never quite reach it.

Interpretation

"Whenever I Go There" is a poem about yearning. The narrator is describing a place that he or she longs to be in - a place that is perfect in every way. However, this perfection is always just out of reach. The repetition of the opening phrase "Whenever I go there everything is perfect" suggests that the narrator has been to this place many times, but that he or she can never quite get there.

This sense of longing and unattainability is reinforced through the imagery that Merwin uses. The buildings with no windows are almost like a fortress - they create a sense of separation and isolation. The water flowing smoothly without clutter suggests a kind of purity and clarity that is unattainable in the real world.

There is a sense of sadness and melancholy in this poem. The fact that the narrator can never quite get to this perfect place suggests that it is a kind of mirage - something that exists only in the imagination. The final line - "but I am never there" - is a kind of admission of defeat. The narrator has been striving for perfection, but it is always just out of reach.

Conclusion

"Whenever I Go There" is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the idea of perfection and yearning. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and a sense of longing, Merwin creates a poem that is both haunting and memorable. The final line - "but I am never there" - is a kind of gut punch that leaves the reader feeling a sense of sadness and melancholy. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you've read it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Whenever I Go There: A Poetic Masterpiece by W.S. Merwin

Poetry has the power to transport us to different worlds, to make us feel emotions we never thought possible, and to leave us with a sense of awe and wonder. W.S. Merwin's "Whenever I Go There" is one such poem that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic poem.

The poem begins with the speaker stating that "Whenever I go there everything is changed." The use of the word "there" is ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder where exactly the speaker is referring to. However, it is clear that the speaker is referring to a place that holds great significance to them. The word "changed" suggests that the speaker has been to this place before and has noticed a difference in its appearance or atmosphere. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with vivid imagery and sensory details.

The first stanza describes the natural world in great detail. The speaker talks about the "trees, the stones, the stream, the cave" and how they all seem to be "altered." The use of the word "altered" suggests that the speaker is not just observing the natural world but is experiencing it in a profound way. The imagery used in this stanza is powerful, with the trees "leaning away from each other" and the stones "lying where they were." This creates a sense of movement and change, even though the objects themselves are stationary.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's own emotions. The speaker says that "I cannot tell you how." This suggests that the speaker is struggling to put their feelings into words, which is a common theme in poetry. The use of the word "cannot" also suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed by their emotions and is unable to articulate them. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as it shows the limitations of language and the power of emotions.

The third stanza returns to the natural world, with the speaker describing the "light that falls through the branches." The use of the word "falls" suggests a sense of movement and change, which is a recurring theme in the poem. The speaker also talks about the "water that flows underground" and the "sound of the stream." This creates a sense of harmony and balance, as the natural world is depicted as a cohesive whole.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most powerful in the poem. The speaker says that "all the names of things have changed." This suggests that the speaker is experiencing a profound transformation, one that has changed their perception of the world around them. The use of the word "names" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not just observing the natural world but is actively engaging with it. The speaker also talks about the "silence where I am." This creates a sense of stillness and calm, which is a stark contrast to the movement and change described in the previous stanzas.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker saying that "it is not far that I go." This suggests that the speaker is not physically traveling to a different place but is instead experiencing a transformation within themselves. The use of the word "far" is significant, as it suggests that the transformation is not a distant or unattainable goal but is instead within reach. The speaker also says that "I have been there." This suggests that the transformation is not a one-time event but is instead an ongoing process.

In terms of language, the poem is filled with sensory details and vivid imagery. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "changed," creates a sense of movement and change throughout the poem. The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity. The poem is also notable for its use of ambiguity, with the word "there" being left undefined and the speaker's emotions being left unexplained.

In terms of themes, the poem explores the relationship between the natural world and the human experience. The poem suggests that the natural world has the power to transform us and that our perception of the world is constantly changing. The poem also explores the limitations of language and the power of emotions, suggesting that some experiences are beyond words.

In conclusion, "Whenever I Go There" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, sensory details, and use of ambiguity. The poem explores themes of transformation, the relationship between the natural world and the human experience, and the limitations of language. Overall, "Whenever I Go There" is a poetic masterpiece that continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

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