Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Talking to the Moon," William Matthews explores the power and limitations of words, the human need for communication, and the introspective moments that occur under the quiet watch of the moon. The poem opens with an image of a "defeated politician" who, like a well-circulated coin, has been handled and worn down. His words, polished by repeated use, have lost their sharpness and potency, becoming smooth and familiar. Matthews suggests that the politician's words have absorbed the metaphorical "sweat" of those who have used them, carrying traces of their past handlers. This image conveys the idea that words, like coins, are subject to wear and tear, losing their original value over time.

The poet then shifts to a more general reflection on how people use and hoard words. The example of a sentence beginning with "The year the lake froze all the way / across . . ." evokes a sense of nostalgia and an attempt to invoke the past. These words are likened to a spell, a magical incantation meant to recreate a moment frozen in time. However, the sentence "never ends," suggesting an inability to fully capture or relive the past through words. This notion speaks to the inefficacy of language in perfectly preserving or recreating memories.

Matthews introduces a personal anecdote about Rick, who repeatedly recounts a sexual experience with Joanne. The vivid, almost crude description of "eating her out" under a dining room table contrasts sharply with the wistful tone, underscored by Rick's "eyes gleamed with grief." This story, repeated "again and again," serves as a desperate attempt to hold onto a lost relationship and the emotions associated with it. The act of retelling becomes a ritual, an effort to keep the memory alive and perhaps to evoke some sense of closure or understanding.

The poem then transitions to a tranquil scene under a "full moon" that "fills the canyon / with pale cream." The speaker is accompanied by a large dog, whose presence provides a sense of grounding and companionship. The dog's interaction with the natural world—sleeping under a juniper and being unfazed by a finch landing on him—contrasts with the speaker's more contemplative state. The description of the moon as a "button with no holes" captures its blank, featureless presence, suggesting a lack of responsiveness or engagement. The speaker acknowledges having "nothing to say to the moon," yet still feels an urge to communicate, expressing a deeper yearning for words to hold magical power or secret significance.

This desire for words to be "magic" or "food, enough for us all to eat" reflects a wish for language to provide sustenance and meaning. The metaphor of words as food highlights their essential role in human life, not just for communication but for nourishment of the soul. The mild stars shining above add to the serene atmosphere, contrasting with the speaker's inner turmoil and longing.

The final lines express a resignation to the limitations of language and the body's inevitable decline. The speaker's words are described as "sewing my body to sleep," suggesting a calming, lulling effect that brings a sense of peace. The phrase "the no news that is good news" refers to the absence of distressing updates, a quietude that is comforting. The imagery of "blood / tying and untying its knots" alludes to the ongoing, automatic processes of the body, maintaining life even in moments of rest.

"Talking to the Moon" captures the complexity of human communication and the ineffable aspects of existence. Matthews uses the quiet backdrop of a moonlit night to explore the inadequacy of words to fully convey meaning or preserve the past. The poem reflects on the deep-seated human need for connection and understanding, even as it acknowledges the limits of language and the solitary nature of individual experience. Through its contemplative tone and rich imagery, the poem delves into the existential aspects of life, highlighting the delicate balance between silence and speech, memory and forgetfulness.

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