'For The Anniversary Of My Death' by W.S. Merwin

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Every year without knowing it I have passed the day
When the last fires will wave to me
And the silence will set out
Tireless traveller
Like the beam of a lightless star

Then I will no longer
Find myself in life as in a strange garment
Surprised at the earth
And the love of one woman
And the shamelessness of men
As today writing after three days of rain
Hearing the wren sing and the falling cease
And bowing not knowing to what

Editor 1 Interpretation

For The Anniversary Of My Death – A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

By W.S. Merwin

W.S. Merwin’s poem, ‘For The Anniversary Of My Death,’ is a hauntingly beautiful piece that speaks to the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. The poem takes the form of a conversation between the speaker and death, and is a poignant exploration of what it means to be alive.

At its heart, ‘For The Anniversary Of My Death’ is a meditation on the nature of existence. The poem opens with the speaker reflecting on the fact that it has been one year since he died. The language here is simple and direct, and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is matter-of-fact about his death, almost as if he is observing it from a distance.

"Every year without knowing it I have passed the day When the last fires will wave to me"

The first line of the poem is deceptively simple, but it sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The phrase "Every year without knowing it" suggests that the speaker is not quite in control of his own life – that he is subject to the whims of fate. This is reinforced by the second line, which speaks of the "last fires" that will "wave" to him. There is a sense here that the speaker is not in control of his own destiny, but is instead subject to forces beyond his control.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to reflect on his life and the choices that he has made. He speaks of the things that he will miss when he is gone – the sound of the wind in the trees, the smell of the ocean, the taste of fruit. These are all sensory details that speak to the richness of life, and the poem seems to suggest that it is these small moments that make life worth living.

"I will miss them Surely I will miss them"

The repetition of the phrase "I will miss them" reinforces the idea that the speaker is reflecting on his own mortality. There is a sense here that he is coming to terms with the fact that he will soon be gone, and that he is trying to prepare himself for what is to come.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to address death directly. He speaks of death as if it were a person, and seems to be engaging in a conversation with it. This is a powerful technique, and one that is used to great effect in the poem.

"Death will come and she will have your eyes"

The use of the word "she" to describe death is interesting, as it suggests that death is not a malevolent force, but rather a natural part of the cycle of life. The idea that death will "have your eyes" is a haunting one, and speaks to the idea that we are all connected in some way.

Throughout the poem, there is a sense of acceptance – an understanding that death is inevitable, and that we must all come to terms with our own mortality. This is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which speak of the speaker being "free" and "alive." There is a sense here that death is not the end, but rather a continuation of the cycle of life.

"I am alive, I am alive And this is the last day of my life"

The repetition of the phrase "I am alive" is powerful, and speaks to the idea that even in death, there is a sense of continuity. The final line of the poem is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the face of death, there is a sense of freedom.

In conclusion, ‘For The Anniversary Of My Death’ is a powerful meditation on the nature of existence. The poem speaks to the impermanence of life, and the inevitability of death. It is a hauntingly beautiful piece that encourages us to reflect on the choices that we make, and the things that we will miss when we are gone. Ultimately, the poem suggests that even in the face of death, there is a sense of continuity – a sense that we are all connected, and that life goes on.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

For The Anniversary Of My Death: A Poetic Masterpiece

W.S. Merwin's poem "For The Anniversary Of My Death" is a haunting and thought-provoking piece that explores the themes of mortality, time, and the human experience. Written in 1967, the poem is a reflection on the poet's own mortality and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

The poem begins with the line "Every year without knowing it I have passed the day," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is reflecting on the fact that every year, without realizing it, they have passed the anniversary of their own death. This line is significant because it highlights the idea that we are all moving towards our own death, whether we are aware of it or not.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's experience of death. They say that "the day is like a secret that is kept from me," which suggests that death is something that is unknown and mysterious. The speaker goes on to say that they "have had my death's head in my hands," which is a powerful image that evokes the idea of holding one's own mortality in their hands.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to reflect on the passage of time. They say that "the time I have lived does not fit like a jacket," which suggests that time is something that cannot be contained or controlled. The speaker goes on to say that "the years have fallen away like beads," which is a beautiful metaphor that captures the fleeting nature of time.

As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the things they have experienced in their life. They say that they have "seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while," which is a beautiful image that captures the fleeting moments of beauty that we experience in life. The speaker goes on to say that they have "heard the waves breaking on the shore," which is another powerful image that evokes the idea of the cyclical nature of life.

The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker reflects on the things they have not experienced in life. They say that they have "not seen the light change on the water," which suggests that there are things in life that we miss out on. The speaker goes on to say that they have "not seen the evening spread out against the sky," which is another powerful image that captures the beauty of the natural world.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says that "I am not sure that I exist," which suggests that they are questioning the very nature of their own existence. The poem ends with the line "but I am still the place where your gaze would fall," which is a beautiful image that captures the idea that even in death, we are still a part of the world and the people around us.

Overall, "For The Anniversary Of My Death" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of mortality, time, and the human experience. Through its beautiful imagery and powerful metaphors, the poem captures the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to the enduring power of the written word.

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