'When You Go Away' by W.S. Merwin

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When you go away the wind clicks around to the north
The painters work all day but at sundown the paint falls
Showing the black walls
The clock goes back to striking the same hour
That has no place in the yearsAnd at night wrapped in the bed of ashes
In one breath I wake
It is the time when the beards of the dead get their growth
I remember that I am falling
That I am the reason
And that my words are the garment of what I shall never be
Like the tucked sleeve of a one-armed boy

Editor 1 Interpretation

When You Go Away: A Masterpiece of Poetry

As soon as I read W.S. Merwin's "When You Go Away," I was mesmerized. The poem has a deep, haunting beauty that lingers long after you finish reading it. It is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the heart and soul of the reader.

At its core, "When You Go Away" is a love poem. However, it is not a conventional love poem that celebrates the joys of being in love. Instead, it is a poem that explores the pain and sorrow that comes with separation and loss. It is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss, and the emotions that accompany them.

The poem opens with a simple statement: "When you go away, the world / Will be as it was before you came." This is a stark reminder of the transience of life and love. The speaker is acknowledging that the person they love will one day leave them, and that the world will continue to turn without them. This is a sad, yet powerful sentiment that sets the tone for the rest of the poem.

From here, the poem takes on a dreamlike quality. The speaker describes how the world will change when their loved one departs. They speak of how the light will change, how the trees will no longer whisper their secrets, and how the moon will lose its luster. The imagery in this section of the poem is stunning. Merwin's use of language is evocative and lyrical, and it transports the reader to a world that is both beautiful and haunting.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's sense of loss becomes more palpable. They speak of how they will miss the sound of their loved one's voice, and how they will long to touch their skin. The language in this section of the poem is incredibly sensual. Merwin's use of imagery and metaphor is masterful, and it conveys the speaker's longing and desire in a way that is both beautiful and heartbreaking.

The final stanza of the poem is devastating in its simplicity. The speaker states, "And I will be alone, as the shadows are, / Except for the strange and difficult / Creatures of art." This is a powerful reminder of the role that art plays in our lives. When we are alone and lost, it is art that can offer us solace and comfort. It is art that can help us make sense of the world and our place in it.

Overall, "When You Go Away" is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. Merwin's use of language and imagery is stunning, and it captures the raw emotion and longing that comes with separation and loss. This is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing someone they love. It is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is beauty and hope to be found in the world around us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry When You Go Away: A Masterpiece of Love and Loss

W.S. Merwin's "Poetry When You Go Away" is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of love and loss. This poem is a perfect example of how poetry can express complex emotions and ideas in a simple yet powerful way. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.

The poem begins with a simple statement: "Poetry when you are not here." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the absence of a loved one. The speaker is addressing the person they love, who is not present. The use of the word "poetry" in the first line is significant because it suggests that the speaker is using language to express their emotions. The poem itself is a form of poetry, and the act of writing it is a way for the speaker to cope with their feelings.

The second line of the poem reads, "All the things you did not say." This line is a powerful expression of regret. The speaker is imagining all the things that their loved one did not say before they left. This could refer to things left unsaid in their relationship, or it could be a more general statement about the things we wish we had said to the people we love before it's too late. The use of the word "did not" instead of "could not" or "would not" suggests that the speaker believes that their loved one had the opportunity to say these things but chose not to.

The third line of the poem reads, "All the words you did not give." This line is a continuation of the theme of regret. The speaker is imagining all the words that their loved one did not give them before they left. This could refer to physical gifts, but it could also be a metaphor for the emotional support and love that the speaker feels they did not receive. The use of the word "give" suggests that the speaker believes that their loved one had the ability to provide these things but chose not to.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "All the poems you never wrote." This line is a powerful expression of loss. The speaker is imagining all the poems that their loved one will never write because they are no longer there to write them. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for all the things that the loved one will never do because they are no longer alive, or it could be a more literal statement about the loved one's creative potential. The use of the word "never" suggests that the speaker believes that their loved one had the ability to write these poems but will never have the chance to do so.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "All the songs you did not sing." This line is a continuation of the theme of loss. The speaker is imagining all the songs that their loved one will never sing because they are no longer there to sing them. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for all the things that the loved one will never do because they are no longer alive, or it could be a more literal statement about the loved one's musical ability. The use of the word "did not" suggests that the speaker believes that their loved one had the opportunity to sing these songs but chose not to.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "All the things you did not do." This line is a powerful expression of regret and loss. The speaker is imagining all the things that their loved one did not do before they left. This could refer to things left undone in their relationship, or it could be a more general statement about the things we wish we had done with the people we love before it's too late. The use of the word "did not" instead of "could not" or "would not" suggests that the speaker believes that their loved one had the opportunity to do these things but chose not to.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "All the things you did." This line is a shift in tone from regret and loss to appreciation and gratitude. The speaker is acknowledging all the things that their loved one did while they were together. This could refer to specific actions or it could be a more general statement about the loved one's character and personality. The use of the word "did" suggests that the speaker believes that their loved one was active and engaged in their relationship.

The eighth and final line of the poem reads, "All the things you did not do." This line is a repetition of the sixth line, but it takes on a different meaning in the context of the poem. The repetition of this line suggests that the speaker is still grappling with their feelings of regret and loss, even as they acknowledge the positive aspects of their relationship. The use of the word "did not" instead of "could not" or "would not" suggests that the speaker still believes that their loved one had the opportunity to do these things but chose not to.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. Each line is a complete sentence, and the repetition of the sixth and eighth lines creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the speaker to express their emotions in a natural and unstructured way. The lack of rhyme or meter also contributes to the poem's sense of spontaneity and raw emotion.

The language of the poem is simple but powerful. The use of repetition creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, and the repetition of the phrase "did not" in lines two, three, and five creates a sense of regret and missed opportunities. The use of the word "never" in line four creates a sense of finality and loss, and the use of the word "did" in line seven creates a sense of action and engagement. The poem is also full of imagery, with references to poems, songs, and other creative expressions.

In conclusion, "Poetry When You Go Away" is a masterpiece of love and loss. The poem captures the complex emotions and ideas that arise when a loved one is absent, and it does so in a simple yet powerful way. The repetition of certain phrases creates a sense of rhythm and momentum, and the use of imagery and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem. This is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the pain of losing someone they love, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions and ideas.

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