'In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams' by Wendell Berry
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I.
The poem is important, but
not more than the people
whose survival it serves,
one of the necessities, so they may
speak what is true, and have
the patience for beauty: the weighted
grainfield, the shady street,
the well-laid stone and the changing tree
whose branches spread above.
For want of songs and stories
they have dug away the soil,
paved over what is left,
set up their perfunctory walls
in tribute to no god,
for the love of no man or woman,
so that the good that was here
cannot be called back
except by long waiting, by great
sorrows remembered and to come
by invoking the thunderstones
of the world, and the vivid air.
II.
The poem is important,
as the want of it
proves. It is the stewardship
of its own possibility,
the past remembering itself
in the presence of
the present, the power learned
and handed down to see
what is present
and what is not: the pavement
laid down and walked over
regardlessly--by exiles, here
only because they are passing.
Oh, remember the oaks that were
here, the leaves, purple and brown,
falling, the nuthatches walking
headfirst down the trunks,
crying "onc! onc!" in the brightness
as they are doing now
in the cemetery across the street
where the past and the dead
keep each other. To remember,
to hear and remember, is to stop
and walk on again
to a livelier, surer measure.
It is dangerous
to remember the past only
for its own sake, dangerous
to deliver a message
you did not get.
Submitted by David Shackelford
Editor 1 Interpretation
In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to poetry that aims to capture the essence of a place, few works come close to Wendell Berry's "In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams." This classic poem, first published in 1975, takes us on a journey to the heart of America, where the landscape is as much a character as the people that inhabit it.
At its core, "In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams" is a meditation on the nature of time and the human experience. Berry uses his keen observational skills to capture the sights, sounds, and smells of the motel parking lot, while also reflecting on the legacy of William Carlos Williams, a fellow poet who served as an inspiration to Berry.
The Setting: A Motel Parking Lot
The poem opens with a vivid depiction of the motel parking lot, which serves as the backdrop for Berry's contemplation. He describes the "cracked pavement" and "weeds / pushing through gravel" that surround him, as well as the "flicker of neon" that illuminates the scene. Berry's attention to detail is remarkable, as he takes in every aspect of the environment, from the "green light" of a nearby sign to the "drone of traffic" in the distance.
But Berry doesn't just describe the setting in a detached, objective way. Instead, he imbues it with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. He notes how the "cows in a field beyond" seem to "be listening" to the "distant whine of trucks" and how the "burnt-out motel" across the street serves as a reminder of the "progress" that has left behind so many small towns and rural areas.
This sense of loss is a recurring theme in Berry's work, and it adds a layer of complexity to his description of the motel parking lot. We get the sense that Berry is not just observing the scene, but also mourning the passing of a way of life that is disappearing before his very eyes.
Reflections on William Carlos Williams
As Berry takes in the scene before him, his thoughts turn to William Carlos Williams, the influential poet and physician who was known for his vivid, imagistic style. Berry reflects on Williams' ability to find beauty in the most mundane objects and experiences, and he wonders if he can do the same.
Berry's admiration for Williams is evident throughout the poem, as he references several of Williams' works, including "The Red Wheelbarrow" and "The Great Figure." He also muses on the idea of "no ideas but in things," a phrase that Williams famously coined and that Berry seems to take to heart as he contemplates the motel parking lot.
But Berry's reflections on Williams are not just a tribute to a fellow poet. They also serve as a way for Berry to grapple with his own creative process and the challenges of finding inspiration in a world that can often seem bleak and uninspiring. He wonders if he can find beauty in the "cracked pavement" and "weeds" of the motel parking lot, or if he will always be searching for something more.
Time and the Human Experience
At its core, "In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams" is a meditation on the nature of time and the human experience. Berry is acutely aware of the transience of life and the way that time seems to slip away from us. He notes how the "light of the neon" seems to "fade" and how the "drones of traffic" seem to "melt" into the night.
But rather than despairing at the passing of time, Berry seems to embrace it. He notes that "nothing is final" and that everything is "continuing for a while, as we say." He seems to take comfort in the idea that even though life is fleeting, it is still worth living and experiencing.
In this sense, Berry's poem is a celebration of the human experience, with all its ups and downs. He acknowledges the "sorrow" and "despair" that can come with living in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving, but he also finds joy in the small moments of beauty and connection that make life worth living.
Conclusion
"In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams" is a remarkable work of poetry that captures the essence of a place and the human experience in equal measure. Berry's attention to detail and his ability to find beauty in the most mundane objects and experiences make this poem a true masterpiece.
But beyond its aesthetic qualities, the poem is also a profound meditation on the nature of time and the way that we experience the world around us. Berry's reflections on William Carlos Williams serve as a way for him to grapple with his own creative process and the challenges of finding inspiration in a world that can often seem bleak and uninspiring.
Ultimately, "In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams" is a celebration of the human experience, with all its joys and sorrows. Berry reminds us that even in the most unexpected places, we can find moments of beauty and connection that make life worth living.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams: A Poem Analysis
Wendell Berry's poem, In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams, is a beautiful and poignant piece of literature that explores the themes of nature, mortality, and the human condition. The poem is a tribute to the American poet William Carlos Williams, who was known for his love of nature and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in his writing.
The poem begins with the speaker sitting in a motel parking lot, surrounded by the concrete and steel of modern civilization. The speaker is thinking of Dr. Williams, who was a doctor as well as a poet, and who spent much of his life exploring the natural world. The speaker reflects on the contrast between the sterile environment of the motel and the beauty of the natural world that Dr. Williams loved so much.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and establishes the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker describes the motel as a "concrete box," and contrasts it with the "green and growing world" that Dr. Williams loved. The speaker is clearly feeling disconnected from nature, and is longing for a connection to something more meaningful.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the mortality of both Dr. Williams and himself. The speaker notes that Dr. Williams is now "dead and gone," and that he himself is "not young anymore." The speaker is acutely aware of the passage of time, and is feeling the weight of his own mortality.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the beauty of the natural world, and the way that it can provide solace and meaning in the face of mortality. The speaker notes that "the world is still beautiful," even in the face of death and decay. The speaker is able to find comfort in the beauty of the natural world, and is reminded of the importance of living in harmony with the environment.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a tribute to Dr. Williams, and to his love of nature. The speaker notes that Dr. Williams was "a doctor and a poet," and that he "loved the world." The speaker is clearly inspired by Dr. Williams' passion for the natural world, and is reminded of the importance of preserving and protecting the environment.
The final stanza of the poem is a call to action. The speaker urges the reader to "go out into the world," and to "love it as he did." The speaker is urging us to take action to protect the environment, and to live in harmony with the natural world. The poem ends with a sense of hope and optimism, as the speaker reminds us that even in the face of mortality, there is still beauty and meaning to be found in the world around us.
Overall, In A Motel Parking Lot, Thinking Of Dr. Williams is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of nature, mortality, and the human condition. The poem is a tribute to the life and work of William Carlos Williams, and is a call to action for all of us to take responsibility for the environment and to live in harmony with the natural world. Wendell Berry's writing is beautiful and evocative, and his message is one that is both timely and important.
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