Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Battlewagon" by William Meredith is a reflective meditation on the nature of a battleship, drawing upon its imposing presence and complex symbolism. The poem juxtaposes the grandeur and potential violence of the warship with the futility and ambiguity of its existence, offering a contemplation on the paradoxes of military power and purpose.

The poem opens with an image of the battleship standing out "from the mind's roadstead," a metaphorical anchorage of thoughts, suggesting a vivid mental image rather than a physical sighting. The ship is envisioned as being "for nowhere, as like as not," indicating a sense of aimlessness or lack of clear destination, which sets the tone for the poem's exploration of purpose and identity.

The description of the battleship continues with its "White and greys that shake along your side," colors that might disguise it as "volcanoes or as nuns." This imagery contrasts the destructive power of a volcano with the peaceful, ascetic life of nuns, highlighting the dual nature of the battleship as both a symbol of violence and a vessel that remains dormant and neutral unless activated. The mention of the "cut steel pieces of your guns" being like a complex puzzle that the speaker lacks the patience for emphasizes the intricate and potentially overwhelming nature of military machinery.

The poem delves deeper into the essence of the battleship, noting how "below decks, terrible with valves, containing war," the ship houses the machinery and armaments of war, making it a vessel of potential destruction. Yet, it is described as "baffling as a motive for evil," suggesting the enigmatic and often incomprehensible nature of warfare and the reasons behind it. The speaker's familiarity with the battleship's "profile like a first lesson" indicates a basic, almost instinctual recognition of its form and function, yet this recognition does not dispel the deeper mystery it embodies.

The nickname "Old Billy-be-damned bang bang flashy-in-battle" evokes a sense of both endearment and irreverence, acknowledging the ship's history and its role in conflict. The reference to "turrets grinding deep / Into chambers of oh by jesus noise" vividly captures the chaos and noise of battle, emphasizing the visceral impact of the ship's weaponry. However, the poem points out that these moments of action are rare, with the ship spending "the rest of your years readying you go / Up and down the inappropriate blue." This line highlights the incongruity of a warship's presence in the peaceful expanse of the ocean, a place more suited for tranquility than for war.

The battleship's crew and equipment are described as "exquisite with purpose," underscoring the precision and readiness that define its existence. Yet, the poem conveys a sense of futility, as the ship and its crew are often preparing for battles that may never come. The phrase "nothing remembered, nothing faraway" suggests a disconnection from both past conflicts and future engagements, emphasizing a present that is marked by a lack of purpose or direction.

In the closing lines, the speaker acknowledges the ship's presence "off the heart's headland," metaphorically positioning the battleship near an emotional or moral boundary. The speaker waves, perhaps a gesture of farewell or acknowledgment, indicating a complex mix of recognition and distance. This wave could symbolize a recognition of the ship's role and existence, yet also an awareness of the distance between the speaker's life and the realities of military service and war.

"Battlewagon" reflects on the paradoxes of military might, the latent violence contained within instruments of war, and the ambiguous purpose they serve in times of peace. Meredith's use of vivid imagery and metaphor underscores the complexity of these vessels, which are both awe-inspiring and deeply unsettling. The poem ultimately leaves readers contemplating the nature of war, the enigmatic allure of power, and the existential questions that arise from the existence of such formidable machines.

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