Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Richard Wilbur’s "He Was" is a poignant reflection on memory, labor, and the enduring legacy of a life lived in quiet communion with the land. Through vivid auditory imagery and a reflective tone, the poem explores the relationship between the speaker and the titular figure, a "brown old man with a green thumb." Wilbur portrays this man’s life as one defined by physical work and a deep connection to the natural world, culminating in a meditation on the ways human actions reverberate beyond death.

The opening line introduces the old man with a strikingly simple yet evocative description: "a brown old man with a green thumb." The contrast between "brown," suggesting weathered skin from years of labor in the sun, and "green thumb," denoting his skill with plants, encapsulates his identity. The phrase simultaneously grounds him in the earth and elevates him as a figure whose labor is transformative and nurturing. This balance of earthiness and reverence sets the tone for the poem.

Wilbur immediately immerses the reader in the sensory world of the man’s work: "I can remember the screak on stones of his hoe, / The chug, choke, and high madrigal wheeze / Of the spray-cart bumping below / The sputter leaves of the apple trees." These lines capture the auditory textures of a rural life—gritty, mechanical, and organic sounds intermingling. The "screak" of the hoe and the "madrigal wheeze" of the spray-cart evoke the physicality and rhythm of his labor, while the "sputter leaves of the apple trees" introduce a delicate, almost musical counterpoint. Wilbur’s use of precise, onomatopoeic language creates an immersive sensory experience that brings the man’s world vividly to life.

Despite the vitality of these sounds, the man himself is described as "all but dumb." This phrase underscores his quiet nature, suggesting that his presence and identity were expressed not through words but through his actions and the sounds of his labor. The speaker notes that although the man "filled some quarter of the day with sound," he recalls "never a single word" spoken by him. This silence emphasizes the man’s focus on work and his connection to the natural world, presenting him as a figure whose voice is expressed through the fruits of his labor rather than through speech.

The poem takes a somber turn as it reflects on the man’s death: "Until he went into the dead of fall / To the drowsy underground." The seasonal imagery of "fall" and "drowsy underground" mirrors the man’s passing, linking his life cycle to the rhythms of the earth. His death is depicted as a natural progression, aligning him with the land he tended so carefully. The choice of "drowsy" suggests not only the sleep of winter but also the restfulness of a life completed.

The final stanza shifts to the enduring legacy of the man’s work: "Having planted a young orchard with so great care / In that last year that none was lost, and May / Aroused them all." This image of the orchard, thriving after his death, symbolizes the continuation of his life’s purpose. The phrase "none was lost" underscores the man’s meticulous attention to his craft, while "May aroused them all" captures the vitality and renewal brought about by his labor. The orchard becomes a living testament to his care and dedication, a bridge between his life and the natural cycles he served.

The poem’s conclusion brings the man’s legacy full circle: "the leaves saying the land’s / Praise for the livening clay, / And the found voice of his buried hands / Rose in the sparrow air." Here, the leaves and the land become speakers, giving voice to the man’s contributions. The "livening clay" suggests the soil’s fertility, enriched by his efforts, while the "found voice of his buried hands" symbolizes the way his work continues to resonate in the living world. The imagery of "sparrow air" ties this legacy to the vibrancy of life, as if his presence is carried on the wings of the birds and in the movements of the natural world.

Structurally, the poem’s three stanzas follow a progression from memory, to death, to legacy. The seamless flow of past and present, of sound and silence, mirrors the interconnectedness of the man’s life and the natural world. Wilbur’s restrained, understated language reflects the quiet dignity of the man himself, while the musicality of the lines evokes the rhythms of labor and nature.

"He Was" is ultimately a meditation on the quiet, lasting impact of a life dedicated to the land. Through its rich sensory imagery and reflective tone, the poem captures the paradoxical nature of such a legacy: rooted in silence yet resonating through the living world. Wilbur invites readers to consider how actions, no matter how understated, can echo beyond the individual, leaving a mark as enduring as a thriving orchard or the song of sparrows in the air.

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