'The Speed Of Light' by W.S. Merwin
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So gradual in those summers was the going
of the age it seemed that the long days setting out
when the stars faded over the mountains were not
leaving us even as the birds woke in full song and the dew
glittered in the webs it appeared then that the clear morning
opening into the sky was something of ours
to have and keep and that the brightness we could not touch
and the air we could not hold had come to be there all the time
for us and would never be gone and that the axle
we did not hear was not turning when the ancient car
coughed in the roofer's barn and rolled out echoing
first thing into the lane and the only tractor
in the village rumbled and went into its rusty
mutterings before heading out of its lean-to
into the cow pats and the shadow of the lime tree
we did not see that the swallows flashing and the sparks
of their cries were fast in the spokes of the hollow
wheel that was turning and turning us taking us
all away as one with the tires of the baker's van
where the wheels of bread were stacked like days in calendars
coming and going all at once we did not hear
the rim of the hour in whatever we were saying
or touching all day we thought it was there and would stay
it was only as the afternoon lengthened on its
dial and the shadows reached out farther and farther
from everything that we began to listen for what
might be escaping us and we heard high voices ringing
the village at sundown calling their animals home
and then the bats after dark and the silence on its road
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Speed of Light by W.S. Merwin: An Analysis
I've always been fascinated by poetry that deals with the mysteries of the universe. The Speed of Light by W.S. Merwin is one such poem that delves into the enigmatic nature of time and space. It's a deep and complex piece of literature that requires multiple readings to fully grasp its meaning. In this analysis, I'll attempt to decipher the poem's hidden messages and explore its themes and literary devices.
Context
Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. W.S. Merwin was an American poet who was born in 1927 and passed away in 2019. He was a prolific writer who won numerous awards for his work, including two Pulitzer Prizes. Merwin was known for his use of concise and sparse language, and his poetry often dealt with themes of nature, spirituality, and the human condition.
The Speed of Light was first published in Merwin's 1994 collection, The Vixen. The poem consists of five stanzas of four lines each, and it's written in free verse. Although the poem doesn't have a strict rhyme scheme or meter, Merwin's use of repetition and enjambment creates a subtle musicality that adds to its overall impact.
Summary
The Speed of Light is a poem that explores the idea of time and its relationship with the universe. The speaker begins by describing how the speed of light is a constant, unchanging force that governs the cosmos. This is contrasted with the fickleness of human beings, who are constantly changing and evolving.
The second stanza delves deeper into the concept of time, describing how it's a fluid and subjective experience. The speaker notes that time can feel slow or fast depending on our perspective, and that it's often difficult to measure accurately.
In the third stanza, the speaker shifts focus to the stars and the vastness of the universe. They describe how the light from distant stars takes thousands of years to reach us, yet we're able to witness their beauty in the present moment.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of time, this time focusing on the idea of memory. The speaker notes how memories can feel like they exist outside of time, as if they're disconnected from the present. They also remark on how memories can be unreliable and subject to distortion over time.
Finally, the poem concludes with a meditation on the transience of life. The speaker notes how everything in the universe is in a constant state of flux, and that we should cherish the fleeting moments we have while we're alive.
Themes
The Speed of Light touches on a number of themes, including time, impermanence, and the vastness of the universe. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the ephemeral nature of existence and our place in the cosmos.
One of the poem's key themes is the concept of time. Merwin explores how time is a complex and slippery thing, often difficult to measure or understand. He notes that our perception of time can be influenced by a variety of factors, including our emotions and our surroundings. The poem suggests that time is more than just a linear progression, but a fluid and subjective experience that's intimately connected to our perception of the world around us.
Another theme in the poem is impermanence. The speaker notes how everything in the universe is constantly changing and evolving, from the stars in the sky to the memories in our minds. This theme is closely tied to the idea of time, as both concepts deal with the fleeting nature of existence. The poem suggests that we should appreciate the ephemeral moments in life, as they're what make our time on earth meaningful.
Finally, The Speed of Light touches on the vastness of the universe. The speaker describes how the stars in the sky are distant and unreachable, yet their beauty is still visible from our vantage point on earth. This theme underscores the idea that we're small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things, but that we can still appreciate the beauty and mystery of the cosmos.
Literary Devices
Merwin employs a variety of literary devices in The Speed of Light to create a sense of depth and complexity. One of the most notable devices is repetition. Throughout the poem, the speaker repeats certain phrases and words, such as "speed of light" and "time." This creates a hypnotic effect that reinforces the themes of the poem and draws the reader deeper into its world.
Another device Merwin uses is enjambment. Many of the lines in the poem flow into each other without a clear pause, creating a sense of fluidity and movement. This reinforces the idea that time is a fluid and subjective experience, and that the boundaries between past, present, and future are often blurred.
The poem also uses imagery to great effect. Merwin describes the stars in the sky as "unreachable" and "distant," creating a sense of awe and wonder. He also describes memories as "fugitive," suggesting that they're elusive and difficult to pin down. These images add depth and richness to the poem, helping to convey its complex ideas in a visceral way.
Finally, The Speed of Light makes use of symbolism. The constant speed of light is a symbol for the unchanging laws of the universe, while the fickleness of human beings represents the mutable nature of existence. The stars in the sky are a symbol for the vastness and mystery of the cosmos, while memories are a symbol for the subjective nature of time.
Interpretation
The Speed of Light is a poem that requires multiple readings to fully appreciate its depth and complexity. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the mysteries of the universe and our place in it. The constant speed of light represents the unchanging laws of the cosmos, while the fickleness of human beings underscores the impermanence of our existence. The poem suggests that time is a fluid and subjective experience, intimately connected to our perception of the world around us.
The poem also touches on the theme of impermanence, emphasizing the transience of everything in the universe. The beauty of the stars in the sky is all the more poignant when we consider their distance and inaccessibility. Similarly, memories are portrayed as ephemeral and subject to distortion over time. These themes underscore the idea that life is fleeting and impermanent, and that we should cherish the moments we have while we're alive.
Ultimately, The Speed of Light is a poem that invites reflection and contemplation. Its complex ideas and evocative language create a visceral and emotional response in the reader, drawing them deeper into the mysteries of the cosmos. Whether read as a meditation on time and impermanence, or as a celebration of the beauty of the universe, The Speed of Light is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Speed of Light: A Poem That Explores the Mysteries of the Universe
W.S. Merwin's poem, The Speed of Light, is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the mysteries of the universe and the human condition. The poem is a meditation on the nature of time, space, and light, and it invites the reader to contemplate the vastness of the cosmos and the fleetingness of human life. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "So gradual in those summers was the going." The speaker is describing the slow passing of time during the summer months, when the days are long and languid. The use of the word "gradual" suggests a sense of slowness and ease, as if time is moving at a leisurely pace. The phrase "the going" is ambiguous, and it could refer to the passing of time, the movement of the sun across the sky, or the gradual fading of the summer season.
The second stanza introduces the theme of light, which will be a recurring motif throughout the poem. The speaker describes the "light that lay upon the water" and the "light that fell upon the leaves." The use of the word "lay" suggests a sense of stillness and calm, as if the light is resting on the surface of the water or the leaves. The phrase "fell upon" suggests a sense of movement and action, as if the light is actively illuminating the leaves. The contrast between these two phrases creates a sense of tension and balance, as if the poem is exploring the relationship between stillness and movement, light and darkness.
The third stanza introduces the idea of distance and space. The speaker describes the "distance that the dead have gone" and the "distance that my thoughts must travel." The use of the word "distance" suggests a sense of separation and isolation, as if the speaker is separated from the dead and from his own thoughts. The phrase "the dead have gone" suggests a sense of finality and loss, as if the dead have left this world and can never return. The phrase "my thoughts must travel" suggests a sense of effort and struggle, as if the speaker is trying to bridge the gap between himself and his own thoughts.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of light, describing the "light that came and went in the room" and the "light that lit and shadowed in her glance." The use of the word "came and went" suggests a sense of transience and impermanence, as if the light is constantly changing and shifting. The phrase "lit and shadowed" suggests a sense of contrast and complexity, as if the light is both illuminating and obscuring at the same time. The use of the pronoun "her" suggests that the speaker is referring to a specific person, perhaps a lover or a friend.
The fifth stanza introduces the idea of time and mortality. The speaker describes the "time that is intolerant of the brave and innocent" and the "time that has no mercy on the bold." The use of the word "intolerant" suggests a sense of harshness and cruelty, as if time is unforgiving and merciless. The phrase "no mercy" suggests a sense of inevitability and finality, as if time is an unstoppable force that will eventually claim us all. The use of the adjectives "brave," "innocent," and "bold" suggests that the speaker is referring to people who are admirable and courageous, but who are ultimately powerless in the face of time.
The sixth stanza returns to the theme of light, describing the "light that blinds our eyes" and the "light that leaves us groping in the dark." The use of the word "blinds" suggests a sense of overwhelming brightness and intensity, as if the light is too much for our eyes to handle. The phrase "leaves us groping in the dark" suggests a sense of confusion and disorientation, as if the light has left us lost and uncertain. The use of the pronoun "us" suggests that the speaker is referring to all of humanity, and that we are all struggling to make sense of the mysteries of the universe.
The seventh stanza introduces the idea of memory and nostalgia. The speaker describes the "memory of old tombs" and the "memory of youth's finality." The use of the word "memory" suggests a sense of longing and nostalgia, as if the speaker is looking back on the past with a mixture of sadness and regret. The phrase "old tombs" suggests a sense of history and tradition, as if the speaker is reflecting on the legacy of those who have come before us. The phrase "youth's finality" suggests a sense of loss and mortality, as if the speaker is mourning the passing of his own youth.
The eighth and final stanza returns to the theme of light, describing the "light that filters through the leaves" and the "light that dapples on the water." The use of the word "filters" suggests a sense of delicacy and subtlety, as if the light is gently passing through the leaves. The phrase "dapples on the water" suggests a sense of playfulness and joy, as if the light is dancing on the surface of the water. The final line of the poem, "And I am in my time, whatever that may mean," suggests a sense of acceptance and resignation, as if the speaker has come to terms with the fleetingness of human life and the mysteries of the universe.
In conclusion, The Speed of Light is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the mysteries of the universe and the human condition. Through its use of imagery, language, and themes, the poem invites the reader to contemplate the vastness of the cosmos, the fleetingness of human life, and the enduring power of light. Whether we are blinded by its intensity or comforted by its gentle glow, light is a constant presence in our lives, and it reminds us of the beauty and complexity of the world around us.
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