'Term' by W.S. Merwin
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At the last minute a word is waiting
not heard that way before and not to be
repeated or ever be remembered
one that always had been a household word
used in speaking of the ordinary
everyday recurrences of living
not newly chosen or long considered
or a matter for comment afterward
who would ever have thought it was the one
saying itself from the beginning through
all its uses and circumstances to
utter at last that meaning of its own
for which it had long been the only word
though it seems now that any word would do
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Term" by W.S. Merwin: A Masterful Exploration of Time and Mortality
I am absolutely thrilled to write about "Term," a poem written by the legendary American poet W.S. Merwin. This piece is a meditation on time, mortality, and the human condition, and it is filled with haunting imagery, profound insights, and a deep sense of longing. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the layers of meaning and symbolism in "Term," and analyze how Merwin uses language and structure to convey his message.
The Poem
Before we dive deep into the poem, let's take a moment to appreciate its beauty and simplicity. "Term" is a short piece, consisting of only four stanzas with four lines each. Here is the poem in its entirety:
Someone spoke to me last night,
told me the truth. Just a few words,
but I recognized it.
I knew I should make myself get up,
write it down, but it was late,
and I was exhausted from working
all day in the garden, moving rocks.
Now, I remember only the flavor—
not like food, sweet or sharp.
More like a fine powder, like dust.
And I wasn’t elated or frightened,
but simply rapt, aware.
That’s how it is sometimes—
God comes to your window,
all bright light and black wings,
and you’re just too tired to open it.
- W.S. Merwin
At first glance, "Term" may seem like a simple anecdote about a missed opportunity. The speaker hears a divine truth, but fails to write it down and can only remember its flavor, like a distant memory. However, as we will see, the poem is much more than that. It is a reflection on the fleeting nature of time, the inevitability of death, and the paradox of human existence.
Time and Mortality
One of the central themes of "Term" is time and mortality. The poem begins with the line "Someone spoke to me last night," which implies that the speaker is recounting a dream or a vision. However, the next line subverts this expectation with the phrase "told me the truth." This suggests that the speaker's experience was not a mere hallucination, but a moment of profound insight.
The truth that the speaker hears is not revealed explicitly in the poem, but its impact is clear. The speaker immediately recognizes the importance of the truth and knows that they should write it down. However, they are too exhausted from working in the garden all day, which symbolizes the daily grind of life. This juxtaposition of the mundane and the divine is a recurring motif in the poem.
The speaker's failure to write down the truth is crucial. It represents the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of death. The speaker may have had a moment of clarity, but they cannot hold onto it forever. Time marches on, and the memory of the truth fades away, leaving only its flavor, like a trace of dust. This experience is universal. We all have moments of insight, but we can never hold onto them forever. They slip away from us, like sand through our fingers.
The final stanza of the poem deepens this theme of mortality. The image of God coming to the speaker's window is a powerful one, evoking both awe and fear. But the speaker is too tired to open the window, too tired to engage with the divine. This moment of missed opportunity is a metaphor for the human condition. We are all too tired, too busy, too distracted to fully engage with life and with the divine. And yet, we are all aware of our mortality, of the ticking clock that counts down the seconds of our lives.
Language and Structure
Merwin's use of language and structure in "Term" is masterful. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of naturalness and spontaneity, as if the speaker is recounting a personal experience. The language is simple and direct, but also filled with rich imagery and symbolism.
The image of the flavor of the truth is a particularly effective one. It suggests that the truth is not something that can be easily grasped or put into words. It is something ephemeral, like a taste, that lingers in the memory. The comparison to dust is also evocative, hinting at the idea of decay and impermanence.
The image of God with black wings is also striking. It subverts our expectations of a benevolent deity, suggesting a darker, more mysterious force. The black wings also recall the image of death, further emphasizing the theme of mortality.
The structure of the poem is also significant. The four-line stanzas create a sense of balance and symmetry, but also a feeling of containment. The poem feels like a small, self-contained world, reflecting the speaker's personal experience. However, this structure also hints at a larger, universal truth. The poem may be about one person's experience, but its themes and symbolism are applicable to all of us.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Term" by W.S. Merwin is a masterful exploration of time, mortality, and the human condition. Through its powerful imagery and simple language, the poem conveys a profound truth about the fleeting nature of life and the paradox of existence. The speaker's experience may be personal, but its impact is universal. "Term" is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience, and it is a reminder that even in the face of mortality, there is beauty and meaning to be found.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Exploring the Classic Poetry Term by W.S. Merwin
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas through the use of language. Poetry has evolved over time, and there are many different styles and forms of poetry. In this article, we will be exploring the classic poetry term written by W.S. Merwin.
W.S. Merwin was an American poet who won numerous awards for his work. He was known for his unique style of writing, which often focused on nature and the environment. In his classic poetry term, Merwin explores the idea of what makes a poem a poem.
What is a Poem?
Before we dive into Merwin's classic poetry term, we need to understand what a poem is. A poem is a form of literature that uses language to evoke emotion, paint a picture, or tell a story. Poems can be written in many different styles and forms, including sonnets, haikus, and free verse.
Poetry is often characterized by its use of figurative language, such as metaphors, similes, and personification. These literary devices help to create imagery and convey emotions in a way that prose cannot.
Merwin's Classic Poetry Term
Merwin's classic poetry term is a short poem that explores the essence of poetry. The poem reads:
What is a poem?
Is it a mosaic
Of colored stones
Which curiously are wrought
Into a pattern?
Rather glass
That's cleared of all mistiness
A single schism
That just keeps going deeper
Until it ends in such a suddenness
That one wonders why one hesitates
To call it poetry.
At first glance, Merwin's classic poetry term may seem simple. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals a deep understanding of what makes a poem a poem.
Analysis of Merwin's Classic Poetry Term
Merwin's classic poetry term begins with a question: "What is a poem?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem and invites the reader to think about what poetry means to them.
The first stanza of the poem compares a poem to a mosaic of colored stones. This metaphor suggests that a poem is made up of many different elements that come together to create a beautiful whole. Each word and line in a poem is like a colored stone that contributes to the overall pattern.
The second stanza of the poem compares a poem to glass that is cleared of all mistiness. This metaphor suggests that a poem is clear and transparent, allowing the reader to see through to the deeper meaning. A poem should not be clouded by unnecessary words or ideas.
The third stanza of the poem suggests that a poem is a single schism that just keeps going deeper. This metaphor suggests that a poem is like a crack in the surface that reveals something deeper beneath. A poem should not be superficial but should reveal something deeper about the human experience.
The final stanza of the poem suggests that a poem ends in such a suddenness that one wonders why one hesitates to call it poetry. This line suggests that a poem should have a sense of finality, a moment where everything comes together and the reader understands the deeper meaning.
Conclusion
Merwin's classic poetry term is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the essence of poetry. Through the use of metaphors and imagery, Merwin suggests that a poem is a mosaic of colored stones, a clear piece of glass, a single schism that reveals something deeper, and a sudden moment of finality.
Merwin's classic poetry term reminds us that poetry is not just about words on a page but about the emotions, thoughts, and ideas that those words evoke. A poem should be clear, transparent, and reveal something deeper about the human experience. Merwin's classic poetry term is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to move and inspire us.
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