Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Poem," William Meredith draws upon rich literary and mythological references to explore themes of love, longing, and the human tendency to seek meaning in the natural and celestial world. The poem juxtaposes the serene imagery of swans on a river with the complex emotions and narratives they symbolize, particularly in relation to the poetry of W.B. Yeats and the myth of Leda and the Swan. Through this interplay, Meredith reflects on the nature of poetic inspiration, the search for connection, and the inevitability of feeling like an outsider.

The poem opens with a peaceful image: "The swans on the river, a great / flotilla in the afternoon sun / in October again." The setting evokes a sense of tranquility and continuity, as if the scene repeats itself each year. Swans, often symbols of grace and beauty, glide along the river, their collective presence described as a "flotilla," a term usually reserved for a fleet of ships, lending the birds a regal and organized quality.

Meredith then delves into a literary allusion, referencing Yeats's fascination with swans and their symbolic significance. "In a fantasy, Yeats saw himself appear / to Maud Gonne as a swan, / his plumage fanning his desire." This allusion recalls Yeats's use of the swan as a symbol of unattainable love and transcendence, particularly in his relationship with Maud Gonne, an Irish nationalist and the poet's muse. The image of "plumage fanning his desire" captures the romantic and often idealized nature of Yeats's poetry.

The poem shifts to a specific moment in Yeats's life, "One October at Coole Park / he counted fifty-nine wild swans. / He flushed them into a legend." This reference is to Yeats's poem "The Wild Swans at Coole," where he counts the swans and reflects on the passage of time and the constancy of change. Meredith notes that "Lover by lover is how he said they flew," indicating Yeats's observation of the paired swans, which he saw as symbols of enduring love. However, Meredith questions this idealization by pointing out, "but one of them must have been without a mate. / Why did he not observe that?" This observation introduces a note of realism, suggesting that even in a scene of apparent harmony, there may be isolation and loneliness.

The poem broadens its scope, moving from specific literary and mythological references to a meditation on the nature of these stories and symbols: "We talk about Zeus and Leda and Yeats / as if they were real people, we identify constellations / as if they were drawn on the night." Here, Meredith highlights the human tendency to project narratives onto the world, whether in mythological tales of gods and mortals or in the way we see constellations in the stars. The mention of "Zeus and Leda" alludes to the Greek myth where Zeus, in the form of a swan, seduces Leda, a story often interpreted as a metaphor for the complexities of love and power.

Meredith continues this theme by stating, "Cygnus and Castor & Pollux / are only ways of looking at / scatterings of starry matter." This line demystifies the mythological stories, reducing them to mere patterns we impose on the randomness of the universe. The poem suggests that these narratives are human constructs, ways of making sense of the chaos and finding meaning in the world around us.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the poet's own feelings of isolation: "The violence and calm of these big fowl! / When I am not with you / I am always the fifty-ninth." The reference to the "violence and calm" of swans captures their dual nature—serene and elegant, yet capable of aggression. The speaker's identification as the "fifty-ninth" swan, the odd one out, poignantly conveys a sense of exclusion and loneliness, particularly in the absence of a beloved. This ending ties back to the earlier question of why Yeats did not acknowledge the unpaired swan, emphasizing the speaker's own experience of being left out or unnoticed.

"Poem" by William Meredith is a meditation on the interplay between art, mythology, and personal experience. It explores how we use symbols and stories to understand our emotions and relationships, and how, despite these efforts, feelings of isolation and disconnection persist. Through its rich imagery and thoughtful allusions, the poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love, the search for meaning, and the human condition.

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