Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"An Old Field Mowed for Appearances' Sake" by William Meredith reflects on the act of mowing down a neglected field, exploring themes of nature's reclamation, human intervention, and the cyclicality of growth and decay. The poem uses the imagery of clearing land to delve into deeper reflections on the passage of time, the relationship between humans and nature, and the remnants of past conflicts.

The opening lines introduce the mechanical aspect of the process: "My loud machine for making hay / Mutters about our work today." This personification of the machine, which "mutters," hints at a sense of reluctance or unease in the task at hand. The machine's action is described as it "flails" through various types of undergrowth—blueberry, sumac, cherry, and bay—depicting a somewhat indiscriminate and destructive force applied to the natural environment.

Meredith captures the futility of this labor by noting that the resulting hay is useless for "no surviving horse or cow / Is fed such crazy salad bales." This phrase emphasizes the absurdity of the action, as the mixture of plants is not suitable for any practical use. The comparison of the fallen trees and bushes to "jackstraws" or the remains of a "forest, trunk and bough" suggests a chaotic and careless destruction, reminiscent of more purposeful deforestation in the past. The poet acknowledges the historical transformation of the landscape, where once there was a forest, now there is a meadow.

The speaker aligns himself with the meadow, stating, "I side with meadow against trees / Because of woodsmoke in the breeze." This choice seems to arise from a preference for the open space of the meadow over the dense, potentially untamed growth of the woods. The "woodsmoke in the breeze" evokes a sense of nostalgia or memory of past clearings, perhaps suggesting a recurring human impulse to tame and control nature. The reference to "other foes" implies that the act of clearing the land is part of a long-standing struggle between humanity and the natural world, where both trees and meadow have, at different times, been seen as adversaries.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the persistent and resilient nature of "second growth," the vegetation that returns after being cleared. The phrase "Second growth and second growth" underscores the cyclical nature of this process. No matter how often the land is cleared, nature continually reasserts itself, growing back in a seemingly endless cycle. This repetition suggests a futility in trying to permanently alter or control the landscape, highlighting the enduring power of natural forces over human efforts.

In "An Old Field Mowed for Appearances' Sake," Meredith contemplates the relationship between humans and the natural environment. The poem portrays human efforts to manage and control nature as ultimately transient and perhaps even pointless, as nature continuously regenerates and reclaims the land. Through vivid imagery and thoughtful reflection, Meredith presents a meditation on the impermanence of human endeavors and the resilience of the natural world. The poem captures the tension between human intention and nature's indifference, leaving readers to ponder the true impact and purpose of their actions in the face of nature's inexorable cycles.

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