Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Walk" by William Matthews is a reflective and meditative poem that explores the passage of time, nature's relentless forces, and the continuity of life through personal and familial history. Set on a narrow beach in February at 3:00 A.M., the poem captures the solitude and contemplative nature of a nighttime walk along Cape Cod, using the landscape as a metaphor for the erosion and transformation inherent in both the natural world and human experience.

The poem begins with the speaker setting out "south," under the steady guidance of the "Cape Cod Light" on a crumbling cliff. The lighthouse's "wand of light" is described as steady and rhythmic, likened to the "second-hand / of a schoolroom clock," suggesting a relentless and precise passage of time. This image of the lighthouse also serves as a "kind of blind radar," symbolizing an unseeing guide through the dark and the unknown, much like the journey of life itself.

The poem reflects on the geological history of the landscape, noting that the "bluffs deposited by glaciers / are giving themselves away." This imagery of erosion—three feet of coastline lost per year—serves as a metaphor for the inevitable decay and change over time. The speaker's walk along the beach parallels this natural process, as they move "at my own slow pace," suggesting a contemplative and introspective journey.

The poem then delves into personal history, recounting how the speaker's grandfather died in a boat and was found by the speaker's father. This generational link establishes a continuity and a sense of destiny, as the speaker continues the journey southward, seemingly following the paths of their ancestors. The phrase "and here I come" subtly acknowledges the speaker's place in this lineage, carrying forward the legacy and memories of those who came before.

As the speaker walks along the beach, they describe the interaction between the wind, sand, and sea. The offshore wind "swirls grit / just over my head and the backwash / rakes it away," depicting the ceaseless motion and reshaping of the coastline. The mention of "my grandfather's house / in Chatham" further grounds the poem in personal history, linking the natural landscape with familial roots.

The description of the longshore current grinding the sand finer as the speaker progresses southward symbolizes the refinement and wearing down of experiences over time. The sand spreads "wider and the beaches sift / inland as far as they can go," until they are anchored temporarily by beachgrass. This process mirrors the natural ebb and flow of life's changes, with temporary stabilizations before the inevitable shift continues.

As the seasons change, the poem notes, "It gets to be spring, / I keep walking, it gets to be / summer." This passage of time brings a shift in the landscape and atmosphere, with families now "lolling" on the beach, enjoying the warmer weather. The waves become smaller, and their marks remain close to the shore, indicating a period of calm and stability.

The poem concludes with an image of the speaker's sons playing soccer on the beach. The line "my tan sons kick / a soccer ball north, against / grains that may once have been / compacted to sandstone" reflects on the cyclical nature of existence. The grains of sand, once solid rock, have been broken down and are now free to move again, symbolizing the cycles of creation and destruction, stability and change.

In "A Walk," William Matthews uses the setting of a beach walk to explore themes of time, memory, and the natural forces that shape our lives. The poem's rich imagery and contemplative tone invite readers to reflect on their own journeys, the passage of time, and the enduring connections between past, present, and future. Through the lens of a simple walk, Matthews delves into the deeper currents of existence, highlighting the beauty and inevitability of life's constant transformations.

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