Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Impressment" by William Meredith is a contemplative poem that explores the metaphor of clouds as a military force, drawing parallels between the arbitrary nature of their movements and the often unfounded nature of human motivations and allegiances. The poem delves into themes of authority, deception, and the disillusionment that follows blind adherence to causes that may ultimately prove meaningless or false.

The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on how "Days like today we are the clouds' men / And what they do all day is our concern." This opening establishes a sense of involuntary enlistment or press-ganging, where individuals find themselves aligned with the actions of the clouds, metaphorically serving under their command. The "clean-edged march / Against the sky in rout" suggests an organized, disciplined movement, evoking the image of a military parade or battle formation. The speaker expresses a sense of compulsion to "join up," as if caught up in the allure of the clouds' apparent success and authority.

The poem continues with the idea of recruitment by the moon on "certain nights / When the clouds run before, bellied or enfilade." This imagery captures the varying formations of clouds, whether bulging and full or arranged in a line, further emphasizing the military metaphor. The use of the word "recruits" suggests a call to action, as if the moon, like a commanding officer, enlists individuals to follow the clouds.

However, the speaker reveals a growing discomfort and disillusionment with this allegiance: "But tented strangely later we wish ourselves free, / Seeing the cause false and us poorly led." The phrase "tented strangely" conveys a sense of confinement and unease, as if the initial allure of joining the clouds has led to an uncomfortable and unfamiliar situation. The realization that the "cause" is "false" and the leadership is inadequate reflects a broader commentary on the nature of authority and the ease with which people can be misled or manipulated.

The poem critiques the "authority of clouds," describing it as "mirror-practiced" and their maneuvers as "pieced out by espionage." This suggests that the clouds' authority is merely a reflection, lacking substance and authenticity, and their actions are contrived or based on deceit. The mention of the "discarded dome system of the sky" evokes an outdated or obsolete structure, implying that the authority the clouds represent is based on outdated or irrelevant systems. The "military secrets" they keep are deemed "useless data," suggesting that their secrecy serves no real purpose other than to create an illusion of mystery and control.

Meredith then contrasts this false authority with the reality of human life, highlighting the clouds' failure to consider "the mixed duties / To anyone's invalid father, troth to a cripple, / Or an old borrowing, kept in peacetime mind / And asking payment." These lines emphasize the complexities and moral obligations of everyday life, which the clouds, in their insubstantial and detached existence, do not account for. The reference to "mixed duties" and the personal responsibilities people carry underscore the disconnect between the abstract authority of the clouds and the concrete realities of human experience.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the unpredictability and variability of life: "do not reckon, / In other words, on the complicated day / That anyone wakes to the sky blank blue or grey." This final thought suggests that life is filled with unexpected challenges and obligations that cannot be predicted or controlled by any external authority, including the metaphorical clouds. The "blank blue or grey" sky symbolizes the uncertainty and neutrality of existence, reminding the reader that true authority and meaning cannot be imposed from above but must be found within the complexities of daily life.

"The Impressment" offers a nuanced critique of authority and the allure of seemingly powerful forces. Through the metaphor of clouds as a military entity, Meredith explores the themes of disillusionment, the arbitrariness of power, and the importance of recognizing the genuine responsibilities and moral obligations that define human life. The poem ultimately serves as a cautionary reflection on the dangers of blindly following false causes and the need to remain grounded in the real and tangible aspects of existence.

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