'Coming To This' by Mark Strand

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We have done what we wanted.
We have discarded dreams, preferring the heavy industry
of each other, and we have welcomed grief
and called ruin the impossible habit to break.

And now we are here.
The dinner is ready and we cannot eat.
The meat sits in the white lake of its dish.
The wine waits.

Coming to this
has its rewards: nothing is promised, nothing is taken away.
We have no heart or saving grace,
no place to go, no reason to remain.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Coming To This: A Deep Dive Into Mark Strand's Poem

Have you ever come across a poem that seems to speak to your soul? A poem that, even though it was written decades ago, still resonates with you and makes you feel like the poet was speaking directly to you? That is what Mark Strand's "Coming To This" does for me. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, structure, and language in the poem and explain why I believe it is a timeless piece of poetry.

Theme: The Journey of Life

What is the poem about? The surface level interpretation would be that it is about the journey of life. The poem is a reflection on the past and a realization that life is not what the poet thought it would be. He starts by saying:

We have done what we wanted. We have discarded dreams, preferring the heavy industry of each other, and we have welcomed grief and called ruin the impossible habit to break.

The imagery here is of a life of hard work, of giving up on dreams and settling for what is easy, even if it is painful. The use of the word "heavy industry" suggests work that is physically demanding and mentally exhausting. The poet also acknowledges that grief is a part of life and that ruin can be difficult to escape.

But the poem goes deeper than just a reflection on the past. It is also a meditation on the present and the future. The poet writes:

And now we are rid of happiness, we are wary and shell-shocked.

The use of the word "rid" suggests that happiness is something that has been discarded or lost. The poet is now wary of the future and unsure of what it holds. There is a sense of disillusionment and a feeling that life has not turned out the way the poet had hoped.

Structure: A Journey Through Time

The structure of the poem reflects the theme of the journey of life. It is divided into four sections, each representing a different stage in the journey. The first section is about the past, the second about the present, the third about the future, and the fourth about the eternal:

Section 1: The Past

We have done what we wanted. We have discarded dreams, preferring the heavy industry of each other, and we have welcomed grief and called ruin the impossible habit to break.

The first section is about the past, about the things that have been done and the dreams that have been discarded. The use of the word "wanted" suggests that there was a time when the poet had dreams and desires, but they have been abandoned. The use of the word "heavy industry" suggests that the poet has chosen work that is difficult and demanding, but it is also a metaphor for the weight of the past.

Section 2: The Present

And now we are rid of happiness, we are wary and shell-shocked, as if the snow shouldered us on its way. The scene is common, the story is familiar.

The second section is about the present, about the state of mind that the poet is in. The use of the word "rid" suggests that happiness is something that has been discarded or lost. The use of the word "shell-shocked" suggests that the poet is in a state of shock or trauma. The metaphor of the snow shouldering the poet suggests that the weight of the present is too much to bear.

Section 3: The Future

We have, it seems, come to this, to love again the stranger who was ourselves.

The third section is about the future, about the possibility of love and redemption. The use of the word "seems" suggests that the poet is unsure of what the future holds. The use of the word "love" suggests that there is still hope for a better future.

Section 4: The Eternal

We have come to know the terrible justice of the one-way street, the reality that comes to haunt a vision, and we have come to accept, finally, not just the agony but the ecstasy as well, the laughter that comes with it.

The fourth section is about the eternal, about the acceptance of the journey of life. The use of the phrase "terrible justice" suggests that the journey is not always easy, but it is just. The use of the word "haunt" suggests that the past is always with us, but it is a reminder of the journey that has been taken. The use of the word "ecstasy" suggests that there is joy and laughter to be found in the journey, even in the difficult moments.

Language: The Power of Metaphor

What makes the poem so powerful is the use of metaphor. The journey of life is not an easy thing to convey, but the poet uses metaphors to make it tangible. The use of metaphor also allows the reader to connect with the poem on a deeper level. Here are some examples of the powerful metaphors used in the poem:

Heavy Industry

We have discarded dreams, preferring the heavy industry of each other...

The use of "heavy industry" as a metaphor for work and relationships is powerful. It suggests that work and relationships can be difficult and demanding, but they are also necessary to survive.

Snow Shouldering

as if the snow shouldered us on its way.

The metaphor of the snow shouldering the poet suggests that the weight of the present is too much to bear. It is a powerful image that conveys the feeling of being overwhelmed.

One-Way Street

We have come to know the terrible justice of the one-way street...

The use of the phrase "one-way street" as a metaphor for life is powerful. It suggests that life is a journey that only goes in one direction, and that the choices we make along the way have consequences.

Conclusion: A Timeless Piece of Poetry

"Coming To This" is a timeless piece of poetry that speaks to the journey of life. The use of metaphor and powerful imagery allows the reader to connect with the poem on a deep level. It is a reflection on the past, a meditation on the present, and a hopeful look towards the future. The journey of life is not an easy thing to convey, but Mark Strand has done it with grace and beauty.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Coming To This: A Poem of Self-Discovery

Mark Strand’s poem “Coming To This” is a powerful exploration of the human experience of self-discovery. The poem is a journey of the self, as the speaker moves from a state of confusion and uncertainty to a place of acceptance and understanding. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and a powerful sense of voice, Strand creates a poem that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a state of confusion and uncertainty. The opening lines, “We have done what we wanted. / We have discarded dreams, preferring the heavy industry / of each other, and we have welcomed grief” (lines 1-3), set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is acknowledging that they have made choices that have led them away from their dreams and towards a life that is heavy with the weight of grief. The use of the word “industry” is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of cold, mechanical efficiency that is devoid of emotion or passion.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the idea of self-discovery. They describe a sense of longing for something more, a desire to break free from the constraints of their current life. The lines “All around us there is a silence / tonight that bears the promise of tomorrow” (lines 7-8) suggest that the speaker is aware of the potential for change, and that they are open to the idea of exploring new possibilities.

Throughout the poem, Strand uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase “coming to this” is repeated several times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different meaning. At first, the phrase seems to refer to the speaker’s current state of confusion and uncertainty. However, as the poem progresses, the phrase takes on a more positive connotation, suggesting a sense of acceptance and understanding.

The use of vivid imagery is another powerful tool that Strand employs in this poem. The lines “The night is alive with the smell of grapes / and the dust of harvested fields” (lines 9-10) create a vivid picture of the speaker’s surroundings. The use of sensory details like smell and touch help to ground the poem in a specific time and place, while also creating a sense of atmosphere and mood.

As the poem reaches its conclusion, the speaker begins to embrace the idea of self-discovery. The lines “We have come to a place where the air is flavored with / desire, and the nights are warm with the heat of our bodies / longing for each other” (lines 15-17) suggest that the speaker has found a sense of passion and desire that was missing from their previous life. The use of the word “longing” is particularly powerful, as it suggests a sense of yearning and desire that is both physical and emotional.

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker reflects on the journey that they have taken. They describe a sense of acceptance and understanding, as they come to terms with their past and embrace their future. The lines “We are like the wind, / sweeping over the mountains and the plains, / reaching into the darkness, / and finding nothing” (lines 21-24) suggest that the speaker has found a sense of freedom and liberation, as they move beyond the constraints of their previous life.

In conclusion, Mark Strand’s poem “Coming To This” is a powerful exploration of the human experience of self-discovery. Through the use of vivid imagery, repetition, and a powerful sense of voice, Strand creates a poem that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. The poem is a journey of the self, as the speaker moves from a state of confusion and uncertainty to a place of acceptance and understanding. Ultimately, the poem is a celebration of the human spirit, and a testament to the power of self-discovery.

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