'Air' by W.S. Merwin
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Naturally it is night.
Under the overturned lute with its
One string I am going my way
Which has a strange sound.This way the dust, that way the dust.
I listen to both sides
But I keep right on.
I remember the leaves sitting in judgment
And then winter.I remember the rain with its bundle of roads.
The rain taking all its roads.
Nowhere.Young as I am, old as I am,I forget tomorrow, the blind man.
I forget the life among the buried windows.
The eyes in the curtains.
The wall
Growing through the immortelles.
I forget silence
The owner of the smile.This must be what I wanted to be doing,
Walking at night between the two deserts,
Singing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Air by W.S. Merwin: A Deep Dive into the Mysteries of Language
Have you ever read a poem that seemed to speak to you on a level beyond words? A poem that evoked sensations, memories, and emotions that you couldn't quite put into language? That's how I felt when I first read "Poetry, Air" by W.S. Merwin. This enigmatic and exquisitely crafted poem is a masterpiece of language, sound, and imagery that invites us to explore the mysteries of our existence and the power of language to convey the ineffable.
The Poem
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to appreciate its form and structure. "Poetry, Air" is a free-verse poem of 37 lines, divided into five stanzas of varying lengths. The poem has no rhyme scheme or regular meter, but it is rich in sound patterns and echoes that create a musical and hypnotic effect. The poem also employs a range of literary devices, including metaphor, personification, allusion, and repetition, that enrich its meaning and texture.
Now, let's turn to the poem's content. "Poetry, Air" is a meditation on the nature of language, poetry, and human consciousness. The poem begins with a striking image of a "voice" that "floats" like "a dead leaf" in the air. This voice is described as "naked," "unseen," and "unhoused," suggesting that it is disembodied and ethereal, yet also vulnerable and exposed. The voice seems to represent the essence of language itself, detached from any particular speaker or context, and hovering in a liminal space between life and death.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus from the voice to the act of speaking itself. Merwin writes:
Speaking is the mouth's way of breathing and the word its way of surviving itself
Here, language is portrayed as a vital and dynamic force that animates the body and gives it breath and life. The word is not just a static object or a dead symbol, but a living entity that "survives" by being spoken and heard. This idea echoes the notion of the logos, or the divine Word, that creates and sustains the universe.
The third stanza of the poem introduces a powerful metaphor that links language to air and breath:
Language is air and a cry that is heard out of silence is air that is moved
Here, language is not only compared to air, but also to a "cry" that emerges from the silence. The cry is an expression of human emotion and longing that reaches beyond the boundaries of language, yet is intimately connected to it. The cry is also a form of movement that disturbs and transforms the air, just as language transforms and shapes our perceptions and experiences.
The fourth stanza of the poem takes a more metaphysical turn, as Merwin alludes to the idea of the soul:
The soul is a helpless thing that cannot use language except to go on crying out for more
Here, the soul is portrayed as a "helpless thing" that is unable to express itself fully through language. This echoes the ancient Greek concept of the psyche, which was associated with breath and the immaterial essence of the self. The soul is also depicted as a creature that is perpetually unsatisfied and longing for more, suggesting that language can never fully capture or satisfy our deepest desires and aspirations.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the initial image of the "voice" that floats in the air, but with a subtle twist:
The voice that floats in the air has no wings it is the air that has them
Here, the voice is not just a passive entity that floats in the air, but an active force that animates and shapes the air itself. The voice is not separate from the air, but inseparable from it, just as language is inseparable from human consciousness and experience. The image of the "wings" suggests that language is not just a means of communication, but also a means of transcending the limitations of our physical existence and reaching for something higher and more elusive.
Interpretation
So, what does "Poetry, Air" mean? As with any great poem, there are multiple layers of meaning and interpretation that we can explore. Here are some of the themes and ideas that I see in this poem:
Language as a Vital Force
One of the central themes of the poem is the idea that language is a vital and dynamic force that animates and sustains us. Language is not just a tool for communication or expression, but a fundamental aspect of our being. It is the "mouth's way of breathing" and the "word's way of surviving itself." Language is not something that we possess or control, but something that possesses and controls us.
The Limits of Language
At the same time, the poem also acknowledges the limits of language to convey the ineffable and the transcendent. The soul is portrayed as a "helpless thing" that can only "cry out for more," suggesting that language can never fully capture the depth and complexity of our innermost selves. Similarly, the cry that emerges from the silence is both an expression of our deepest longings and a reminder of their unfulfillable nature.
The Interconnectedness of Language and Reality
Another theme of the poem is the idea that language and reality are intimately interconnected. The voice that floats in the air is not just a disembodied entity, but an active force that shapes and transforms the air itself. Language is not just a means of describing or representing reality, but a means of creating and shaping it. The image of the "wings" suggests that language is not just a tool for communication, but a means of transcendence that allows us to reach beyond the limitations of our physical existence.
The Mysteries of Existence
Ultimately, "Poetry, Air" is a meditation on the mysteries of our existence and the power of language to evoke and explore those mysteries. The poem invites us to contemplate the nature of language, consciousness, and reality, and to embrace the ambiguity and uncertainty that lie at the heart of our experience. By doing so, the poem offers us a glimpse of something profound and elusive that lies beyond the reach of words.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, Air" is a remarkable poem that challenges us to explore the mysteries of language and consciousness. Through its rich imagery, sound patterns, and literary devices, the poem invites us to contemplate the interconnectedness of language and reality, the limits of our ability to express ourselves, and the transcendent possibilities that language offers us. Whether you are a lover of poetry, a student of language and literature, or simply a curious and open-minded person, "Poetry, Air" is a poem that will reward your attention and reflection. So take a deep breath, let the words wash over you, and see where they lead you.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Air: A Masterpiece of Imagery and Metaphor
W.S. Merwin's "Poetry Air" is a poem that captures the essence of poetry and the power of language. The poem is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor, and it explores the relationship between poetry and the natural world. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with a description of the natural world, with the speaker observing the "air" around him. The air is described as "full of poetry," and the speaker notes that "it is everywhere." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the connection between poetry and the natural world.
The first stanza of the poem is filled with vivid imagery, as the speaker describes the "poetry air" as being "like a river," "like a bird," and "like a tree." These metaphors create a sense of movement and life, as if the air itself is alive and full of energy. The use of metaphor is a key element of the poem, as it allows the speaker to convey complex ideas and emotions through simple, concrete images.
The second stanza of the poem shifts focus to the act of writing poetry. The speaker notes that "the pen is a wand," and that writing poetry is like "casting a spell." This metaphorical language reinforces the idea that poetry is a powerful force, capable of transforming the world around us. The use of the word "wand" also suggests that writing poetry is a magical act, one that requires skill and precision.
The third stanza of the poem returns to the natural world, as the speaker describes the "poetry air" as being "like the wind." This metaphorical language creates a sense of movement and change, as if the air is constantly in motion. The use of the word "wind" also suggests that poetry is a force that can move people and change their perspectives.
The fourth stanza of the poem explores the idea that poetry is a form of communication. The speaker notes that "the poetry air is a language," and that it is "spoken by all things." This idea reinforces the connection between poetry and the natural world, as it suggests that all living things are capable of communicating through poetry. The use of the word "language" also suggests that poetry is a form of expression that can be understood by anyone, regardless of their background or culture.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem returns to the idea of writing poetry, as the speaker notes that "the poetry air is a page." This metaphorical language suggests that the natural world is a source of inspiration for poets, and that writing poetry is a way of capturing the beauty and complexity of the world around us. The use of the word "page" also suggests that writing poetry is a form of art, one that requires skill and creativity.
In terms of structure, "Poetry Air" is a five-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The use of quatrains creates a sense of balance and symmetry, and it allows the speaker to explore different aspects of poetry and the natural world in a structured and organized way. The poem also has a consistent rhyme scheme, with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm, and it reinforces the idea that poetry is a form of art that requires both skill and creativity.
In terms of language, "Poetry Air" is a masterful example of metaphorical language. The use of metaphor allows the speaker to convey complex ideas and emotions through simple, concrete images. The poem is also filled with vivid imagery, as the speaker describes the natural world in rich detail. The use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery creates a sense of depth and complexity, and it allows the reader to connect with the poem on an emotional level.
In conclusion, "Poetry Air" is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor, and it explores the relationship between poetry and the natural world. The poem is structured in a way that allows the speaker to explore different aspects of poetry and the natural world in a structured and organized way, and the use of metaphorical language and vivid imagery creates a sense of depth and complexity. Overall, "Poetry Air" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of poetry and the power of language.
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