Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Words for Some Ash" by Thom Gunn is an elegiac reflection on the physical and metaphysical transformation that occurs after death. The poem intricately details the journey from the final moments of life to the ultimate dispersion of ashes, highlighting the interplay between the physical body and the natural world. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Gunn captures the essence of mortality and the continuity of existence beyond death.

The poem begins with a stark and intimate depiction of the dying process: "Poor parched man, we had to squeeze / dental sponge against your teeth, / so that moisture, by degrees, / dribbled to the mouth beneath." This image of providing moisture to a parched mouth underscores the fragility and suffering of the dying person. The physicality of the act, the careful attention to basic needs, conveys a deep sense of care and tenderness in the face of impending loss.

Gunn continues to paint a poignant picture of the final moments: "Christmas Day your pupils crossed, / staring at your nose's tip, / seeking there the air you lost, / but still gaped for, dry of lip." The crossing of the pupils and the search for air illustrate the body's struggle to cling to life, even as it loses the battle. The reference to Christmas Day adds a layer of poignancy, contrasting the traditional celebration of life and renewal with the stark reality of death.

The poem then shifts to the aftermath of death: "Now you are a bag of ash, / scattered on a coastal ridge, / where you watched the distant crash— / ocean on a broken edge." The transformation from a living person to a "bag of ash" emphasizes the finality of death. Scattering the ashes on a coastal ridge, a place where the deceased once found solace or joy, signifies a return to nature and the cycle of life. The "distant crash" of the ocean against the "broken edge" of the coast serves as a metaphor for the inevitable meeting of life and death.

Gunn meditates on the dissolution of the body: "Death has wiped away each sense, / fire took muscle, bone, and brains." Here, the poet acknowledges the complete erasure of physical existence. However, the subsequent lines suggest a form of purification and continuation: "Next may rain leach discontents, / from your dust, wash what remains / deeper into damper ground, / till the granules work their way / into unseen streams, and bound / briskly in the water's play." The image of rain leaching discontents and washing the ashes into streams symbolizes a cleansing process. The ashes, now part of the natural water cycle, suggest a form of rebirth or integration into a larger ecological system.

The poem concludes with a vision of the ashes joining the ocean: "till you lastly reach the shore, / joining tides without intent, / only worried anymore / by the currents' argument." This final image of the ashes reaching the shore and becoming part of the tides underscores the ongoing flow of existence. The "currents' argument" suggests the dynamic and ever-changing nature of life, where individual elements become part of a larger, impersonal process.

In "Words for Some Ash," Thom Gunn masterfully explores themes of mortality, transformation, and the interconnectedness of life and nature. Through detailed and evocative imagery, he conveys the physical realities of death while also suggesting a continuity that transcends individual existence. The poem serves as a poignant reminder of the cycles of life and the enduring presence of the deceased within the natural world.

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