'Yesterday' by W.S. Merwin
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My friend says I was not a good son
you understand
I say yes I understand
he says I did not go
to see my parents very often you know
and I say yes I know
even when I was living in the same city he says
maybe I would go there once
a month or maybe even less
I say oh yes
he says the last time I went to see my father
I say the last time I saw my father
he says the last time I saw my father
he was asking me about my life
how I was making out and he
went into the next room
to get something to give me
oh I say
feeling again the cold
of my father's hand the last time
he says and my father turned
in the doorway and saw me
look at my wristwatch and he
said you know I would like you to stay
and talk with me
oh yes I say
but if you are busy he said
I don't want you to feel that you
have to
just because I'm here
I say nothing
he says my father
said maybe
you have important work you are doing
or maybe you should be seeing
somebody I don't want to keep you
I look out the window
my friend is older than I am
he says and I told my father it was so
and I got up and left him then
you know
though there was nowhere I had to go
and nothing I had to do
Editor 1 Interpretation
Yesterday by W.S. Merwin: A Deep Dive into the Poem
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling haunted, as if the words were still echoing in your mind long after you finished reading it? That's how I felt after reading "Yesterday" by W.S. Merwin. This poem is a masterpiece that is both beautiful and haunting at the same time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the poem, exploring its themes, symbols, and meanings.
Summary of the Poem
Before we dive deep into the poem, let's start with a quick summary. "Yesterday" is a short poem that consists of only two stanzas. The poem begins with the line, "My friend says I was not a good son," which immediately sets the tone of regret and sorrow. The speaker then goes on to reflect on his past, remembering how he used to speak to his father in a harsh tone and how he never truly appreciated his father's love and care. The second stanza takes a more universal turn, as the speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem ends with the line, "and today is only one of a million yesterdays," which drives home the message that life is fleeting and we should cherish every moment.
Themes
The theme of regret is the central theme of the poem. The speaker regrets not being a good son to his father and not appreciating him when he was alive. This theme is universal and relatable because many of us have experienced regret in our lives. We often take our loved ones for granted and only realize their value after they are gone. The theme of mortality is also present in the poem, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life. The theme of time is also explored, as the speaker reflects on the past and the present.
Symbols
The poem makes use of several symbols to convey its message. The most prominent symbol in the poem is the father. The father represents love, care, and guidance. The harsh tone that the speaker used to speak to his father represents the way we sometimes take our loved ones for granted. The second stanza makes use of the symbol of time, as the speaker reflects on the transience of life. The line, "yesterday I was young and now I am old," conveys the message that time is passing by quickly, and we should cherish every moment.
Literary Techniques
The poem makes use of several literary techniques to convey its message. The most prominent technique used in the poem is imagery. The vivid imagery used in the poem helps to paint a picture of the speaker's memories. The line, "I look at my hands and they are strange," is a vivid image that conveys the message that time has passed and the speaker is no longer young. The poem also makes use of symbolism, as discussed earlier. The repetition of the word "yesterday" in the first stanza is also a literary technique that emphasizes the theme of regret.
Tone and Mood
The tone of the poem is one of regret and sorrow. The speaker is filled with regret for not being a good son to his father. The mood of the poem is also one of sadness and melancholy. The poem leaves the reader with a feeling of nostalgia and a sense of loss.
Interpretation
The poem "Yesterday" is a poignant reflection on life, death, and the passage of time. The poem reminds us that life is fleeting and we should cherish every moment. The regret that the speaker feels is relatable because many of us have experienced regret in our lives. The poem is a warning to us all to appreciate our loved ones while they are still with us.
The second stanza of the poem takes a more universal turn, as the speaker reflects on the transience of life. The line, "yesterday I was young and now I am old," conveys the message that time is passing by quickly, and we should cherish every moment. The poem reminds us that we should live in the present and appreciate the beauty of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Yesterday" by W.S. Merwin is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores themes of regret, mortality, and time. The poem is a warning to us all to cherish our loved ones and appreciate the beauty of life. The vivid imagery and symbolism used in the poem helps to convey its message in a powerful way. The poem reminds us that life is fleeting, and we should cherish every moment because time waits for no one.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Yesterday, a classic poem written by W.S. Merwin, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This poem is a reflection of the human experience, and it captures the essence of life in a way that is both profound and relatable. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Yesterday.
The poem begins with a simple statement, "My friend says I was not a good son." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of regret and introspection. The speaker is reflecting on his past, and he is haunted by the idea that he was not a good son. This is a common theme in literature, as many writers explore the complex relationships between parents and children.
The next few lines of the poem are a series of memories that the speaker has of his father. He remembers his father's hands, which were "strong and gentle," and he remembers the way his father would "lift me from the ground." These memories are important because they establish the relationship between the speaker and his father. The speaker clearly has a deep respect and admiration for his father, which makes his sense of regret even more poignant.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the passing of time. He says, "I thought the past was something I could see / or touch / but it's not." This line is a powerful statement about the nature of time. The past is something that we can never truly grasp, and yet it has a profound impact on our lives. The speaker is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he can never go back and change the mistakes he has made.
The next few lines of the poem are a series of questions that the speaker asks himself. He wonders if his father knew how much he loved him, and he wonders if his father knew how much he appreciated all that he had done for him. These questions are heartbreaking, as they reveal the speaker's deep sense of regret and longing. He is haunted by the idea that he never truly expressed his love and gratitude to his father.
The final lines of the poem are a powerful statement about the human experience. The speaker says, "I don't know what it is to be alive / and not to know it." This line is a profound statement about the nature of existence. We are all alive, but how many of us truly appreciate the gift of life? The speaker is grappling with the idea that he has wasted so much of his life, and he is struggling to come to terms with the fact that he can never go back and change the past.
In terms of structure, Yesterday is a free verse poem. This means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, the poem is structured around the speaker's thoughts and memories. This structure is effective because it allows the poem to flow naturally, and it gives the reader a sense of the speaker's internal struggle.
In terms of literary devices, Yesterday is full of powerful imagery and metaphors. The speaker describes his father's hands as "strong and gentle," which is a powerful metaphor for the kind of person his father was. He also describes the passing of time as a "river," which is a common metaphor in literature. The river represents the unstoppable force of time, which is something that we can never truly control.
Another literary device used in Yesterday is repetition. The speaker repeats the phrase "I don't know" several times throughout the poem. This repetition is effective because it emphasizes the speaker's sense of confusion and uncertainty. He is grappling with some of life's biggest questions, and he is struggling to find answers.
In conclusion, Yesterday is a powerful poem that explores the complex relationships between parents and children, the passing of time, and the human experience. The poem is structured around the speaker's thoughts and memories, and it is full of powerful imagery and metaphors. The repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the speaker's sense of confusion and uncertainty. Overall, Yesterday is a masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today.
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