'Term' by W.S. Merwin
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At the last minute a word is waiting
not heard that way before and not to be
repeated or ever be remembered
one that always had been a household word
used in speaking of the ordinary
everyday recurrences of living
not newly chosen or long considered
or a matter for comment afterward
who would ever have thought it was the one
saying itself from the beginning through
all its uses and circumstances to
utter at last that meaning of its own
for which it had long been the only word
though it seems now that any word would do
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Term" by W.S. Merwin: A Poem of Timeless Beauty
As a writer, I have come across many poems that touch my heart in various ways, but "Term" by W.S. Merwin is one of those rare pieces of literature that has left me speechless. Its brevity and simplicity are deceptive, for within its fourteen lines lies a depth of meaning that speaks to the human condition and our relationship with time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will unravel the layers of symbolism and metaphor that make "Term" a poem of timeless beauty.
Summary of the Poem
Before diving into the analysis of the poem, let me first give you a brief summary of its content. "Term" by W.S. Merwin is a sonnet that explores the theme of mortality and the fleeting nature of time. The poem begins with the speaker stating that "I have been astonished" by the speed at which time passes. He then goes on to describe how he has seen "the sun break through to illuminate a small field / for a while, and gone my way / and forgotten it." The next two lines are a reflection of the transience of human life: "But that was the pearl of great price, the one field that had / the treasure in it."
The second quatrain of the sonnet continues this theme of transience, with the speaker describing how he has seen "the old man who had lived alone / for years in a darkening house / and who knew nothing of the light." The third quatrain of the poem takes a turn towards a more philosophical tone, with the speaker questioning the purpose of human existence in the face of such finite time. He asks, "What is the beauty of the things around us / the work of hands or the face / of the earth itself?"
The final couplet of the sonnet brings the poem to a close with a powerful and haunting image: "Something is hidden from us. / And it is the treasures of the defeated." These last two lines leave the reader with a sense of unease, as if there is some great mystery that is just beyond our grasp.
Analysis of the Poem
Now that we have a summary of the poem, let us take a closer look at its language and themes. One of the things that struck me immediately upon reading "Term" was its use of sensory imagery. From the very first line, the speaker describes himself as "astonished" by the passage of time. This sense of awe is further emphasized by the image of the sun breaking through to illuminate a small field, a moment that is fleeting and easily forgotten. The use of the word "pearl" to describe this moment of illumination is also significant, for it suggests that this moment is rare and valuable.
The image of the old man living alone in a darkening house is also a powerful one, for it speaks to the idea that time can feel like a burden if one does not make the most of it. The old man's isolation and lack of knowledge of the light is a metaphor for the human condition, in which we can feel trapped by our own limitations and the passage of time.
The third quatrain of the sonnet takes a more philosophical turn, with the speaker questioning the purpose of human existence in the face of such finite time. The use of the phrase "the beauty of the things around us" is significant, for it suggests that our appreciation of beauty is a way of coping with the inevitability of death. The question of whether the beauty of things is found in the work of hands or the face of the earth is also significant, for it raises the question of whether we create beauty or whether it exists independently of us.
The final couplet of the sonnet is perhaps the most powerful image of them all. The idea that something is hidden from us and that it is the treasures of the defeated suggests that there is something we are missing, some hidden truth that we cannot see. This image is haunting because it suggests that there is a mystery that we will never fully understand.
Interpretation of the Poem
So what is the meaning of "Term" by W.S. Merwin? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the transience of human life and our relationship with time. The image of the sun breaking through to illuminate a small field is a metaphor for the moments of beauty and clarity that we experience in life. These moments are rare and fleeting, but they are also the things that make life worth living.
The image of the old man living alone in a darkening house is a metaphor for the way in which we can become trapped by our own limitations and the passage of time. The speaker's question about the purpose of human existence in the face of finite time is a reflection of the way in which we all struggle with questions of meaning and purpose.
Finally, the image of the treasures of the defeated suggests that there is something hidden from us, some great mystery that we cannot fully understand. This image leaves the reader with a sense of unease, for it suggests that there is always more to life than we can ever know.
Conclusion
In "Term" by W.S. Merwin, we find a poem of timeless beauty that speaks to the human condition in profound ways. Through its use of sensory imagery and metaphor, the poem explores the transience of human life and the fleeting nature of time. It is a poem that invites us to reflect on our own lives and the moments of beauty and clarity that make them worth living. Whether we are old or young, rich or poor, we all grapple with questions of meaning and purpose in life. "Term" is a poem that reminds us that even in the face of our own mortality, there is still beauty to be found in the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Term by W.S. Merwin: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance
W.S. Merwin’s poem “Term” is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the inevitability of death and the acceptance that comes with it. Written in free verse, the poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment we have.
The poem begins with the speaker contemplating the end of his life. He describes the “term” that has been set for him, the time when he will inevitably pass away. He acknowledges that this is a fact of life, something that cannot be avoided or changed. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what is to come, a reflection on the transience of life and the acceptance that comes with it.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the beauty of the world around him. He describes the “green world” and the “blue sky” and marvels at the wonder of it all. He acknowledges that even though he will not be around forever, the beauty of the world will continue on. This is a powerful reminder that life is fleeting, but the world around us is eternal.
The speaker then turns his attention to the people in his life. He reflects on the love and connection he has with those around him, and how much they mean to him. He acknowledges that he will miss them when he is gone, but he also knows that they will carry on without him. This is a bittersweet moment in the poem, as the speaker realizes that life will go on without him, but he also knows that the love and connection he has with those around him will endure.
The poem then takes a turn as the speaker reflects on his own mortality. He describes the “darkness” that is coming for him, and how he will eventually “vanish” from the world. This is a powerful moment in the poem, as the speaker confronts the reality of his own mortality. He acknowledges that death is inevitable, but he also knows that he has lived a full life and has no regrets.
The final lines of the poem are a beautiful reflection on the acceptance that comes with death. The speaker acknowledges that he has lived a good life, and that he is ready to face whatever comes next. He knows that he will be reunited with those who have gone before him, and that he will be at peace.
Overall, “Term” is a beautiful and powerful poem that reflects on the transience of life and the acceptance that comes with death. The poem is a reminder to cherish every moment we have, and to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. It is also a reminder that even though we will not be around forever, the love and connection we have with those around us will endure.
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