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'The River Of Bees' by W.S. Merwin


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In a dream I returned to the river of bees
Five orange trees by the bridge and
Beside two mills my house
Into whose courtyard a blind man followed
The goats and stood singing
Of what was olderSoon it will be fifteen yearsHe was old he will have fallen into his eyesI took my eyes
A long way to the calenders
Room after room asking how shall I liveOne of the ends is made of streets
One man processions carry through it
Empty bottles their
Images of hope
It was offered to me by nameOnce once and once
In the same city I was born
Asking what shall I sayHe will have fallen into his mouth
Men think they are better than grassI return to his voice rising like a forkful of hayHe was old he is not real nothing is real
Nor the noise of death drawing waterWe are the echo of the futureOn the door it says what to do to survive
But we were not born to survive
Only to live

Editor 1 Interpretation

The River of Bees: A Masterpiece by W.S. Merwin

Have you ever read a poem that swept you off your feet and left you breathless? That's precisely what W.S. Merwin's "The River of Bees" does to its readers. This masterpiece of contemporary poetry is a powerful and evocative work that delves into the themes of nostalgia, loss, and the natural world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll explore the many layers of this poem, from its imagery and symbolism to its form and structure.

Background and Context

Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to understand the background and context of "The River of Bees." W.S. Merwin was an American poet, translator, and essayist who received many accolades in his lifetime, including two Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry. He was known for his spare and elegant writing style, which often explored themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition.

"The River of Bees" was first published in Merwin's 1977 collection, "The Lice," which was a pivotal work in his career. The collection was heavily influenced by Merwin's interest in Eastern philosophy and the natural world, and "The River of Bees" is no exception. The poem is a lyrical meditation on the beauty of the natural world, as well as the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

Analysis of the Poem

Now, let's dive into the poem itself. "The River of Bees" is a 28-line poem that is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene by describing a river flowing through a landscape that is alive with the sounds of nature:

In a dream I returned to the river of bees
Five orange trees by the bridge and
Along the back of the river
Merry dark river full of fish and verse

Merwin's use of vivid imagery here is striking. The river is not just a body of water, but a "merry dark river full of fish and verse." This description is not only beautiful, but also highlights the importance of the natural world in Merwin's poetry. The orange trees and the fish in the river are further examples of this.

The second stanza introduces the theme of loss, as the speaker reflects on the fact that the orange trees are no longer there:

Sorrowful mystery of childhood
The years recede, ten
Orange trees by the bridge and

The word "sorrowful" is key here, as it suggests that the speaker is mourning the loss of something important. The fact that the speaker refers to this loss as a "mystery" only adds to the sense of nostalgia and longing.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. Here, the speaker reflects on the inevitability of death, using the metaphor of the river of bees:

I went back into the charmed night
The bees were singing above the barley
Mellow lit by the moon
Of my childhood
And then I was running down the wet
Carrying the bees
Away from the hsadow
Of the house
With its swaying curtains
And I heard them
Bees
Bees
Bees

The repetition of the word "bees" here is haunting, as it suggests that the speaker is not just describing a memory but reliving it. The fact that the bees are associated with death is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is aware of his own mortality.

Themes and Interpretation

"The River of Bees" is a multi-layered poem that deals with a number of themes. One of the most prominent is the theme of nostalgia and loss. Throughout the poem, the speaker is reflecting on his childhood and the things that he has lost over the years. The fact that he is dreaming about the river of bees suggests that he is trying to recapture something that he can never truly have again.

Another important theme in the poem is the natural world. Merwin uses beautiful and vivid imagery to describe the river, the orange trees, and the bees. This not only creates a sense of nostalgia but also highlights the importance of nature in Merwin's poetry.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it deals with the theme of death. The metaphor of the river of bees is particularly striking, as it suggests that death is a natural and inevitable part of life. The repetition of the word "bees" is haunting, as it suggests that death is something that is always there, buzzing in the background.

Form and Structure

"The River of Bees" is a free verse poem that is divided into three stanzas of varying lengths. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a sense of fluidity and naturalness, which is appropriate given its subject matter.

The use of enjambment in the poem is also significant. The lines "Five orange trees by the bridge and / Along the back of the river" create a sense of movement and flow, as the reader's eye is drawn from one line to the next. This is particularly effective given the subject matter of the poem, which deals with the natural world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The River of Bees" is a masterful work of contemporary poetry that deals with themes of nostalgia, loss, and the natural world. Merwin's use of vivid imagery, haunting repetition, and powerful metaphors create a sense of beauty and melancholy that is hard to forget. The poem is a testament to Merwin's skill as a poet and his ability to capture the fleeting nature of life in his writing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The River of Bees: A Masterpiece of Poetry

W.S. Merwin's "The River of Bees" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. The poem is a beautiful and evocative exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world, and the ways in which we are both connected and separate from it.

At its core, "The River of Bees" is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of change. The poem begins with a vivid image of a river filled with bees, a symbol of the natural world and its abundance. The bees are described as "a braided maze of wires and lights" that move "like a river" through the landscape. This image is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that the natural world is both powerful and unpredictable.

As the poem progresses, Merwin explores the ways in which humans are both a part of and apart from the natural world. He writes, "We are the bees of the invisible. We wildly collect the honey of the visible, to store it in the great golden hive of the invisible." This metaphorical language suggests that humans are both active participants in the natural world and also separate from it, as we seek to understand and control it.

Throughout the poem, Merwin uses vivid imagery and sensory language to create a powerful sense of place and atmosphere. He describes the "darkness" of the river, the "thick scent of the summer grasses," and the "distant thunder" that echoes through the landscape. These details create a rich and immersive world that draws the reader in and invites them to experience the poem on a deep and emotional level.

One of the most striking aspects of "The River of Bees" is its use of repetition and variation. The poem is structured around a series of repeated phrases and images, such as the river of bees, the darkness, and the thunder. However, each repetition is slightly different, building on the previous image and adding new layers of meaning. This creates a sense of momentum and progression that drives the poem forward and keeps the reader engaged.

Another key element of the poem is its use of metaphor and symbolism. The river of bees is a powerful symbol of the natural world and its abundance, while the darkness and thunder represent the forces of nature that are beyond human control. The bees themselves are a metaphor for the human experience, as we too are constantly moving and searching for meaning in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable.

Overall, "The River of Bees" is a stunning example of the power of poetry to capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world. Merwin's use of vivid imagery, sensory language, and metaphorical language creates a rich and immersive world that invites the reader to explore the poem on multiple levels. Whether you are a lover of poetry or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, "The River of Bees" is a must-read that will leave you feeling inspired and moved.

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