Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin’s poem “Night Fragrance” is a contemplative meditation on the concept of immortality, as viewed through the lens of memory, language, and nature. The poem reflects on the ways in which human beings have historically spoken of immortality, often with a sense of certainty and tangible reality, and contrasts this with the indifferent persistence of the natural world, which carries on without concern for names or legacies.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging his age: “Now I am old enough to remember / people speaking of immortality.” This introduction sets a reflective tone, suggesting that the speaker is looking back on a time when the idea of immortality was more commonly discussed, perhaps with a sense of reverence or belief. The use of “remember” underscores the passage of time and the shift in the speaker’s perspective as he has grown older.

Merwin then critiques the way immortality was treated “as though it were something known to exist / a tangible substance that might be acquired.” This view of immortality as a concrete, obtainable thing is presented almost ironically, as if it were a household item, “to be used perhaps in the kitchen / every day in whatever was made there / forever after.” The mundane imagery of the kitchen highlights the absurdity of trying to domesticate or contain something as abstract and elusive as immortality.

The poem goes on to describe how the concept of immortality was applied to literature, names, and even botanical classification: “and they applied the word / to literature and the names of things / names of persons and the naming of other / things for them.” Here, Merwin explores the human tendency to seek immortality through naming—whether it be through art, science, or the commemoration of individuals. The act of naming becomes a way of preserving memory and asserting some form of lasting influence.

Merwin specifically references the genus Tabernaemontana, named for James Theodore Tabernaemontanus, a 16th-century physician and botanist from Heidelberg. The genus includes “somewhat more than / a hundred species of tropical trees and shrubs / some with flowers most fragrant at night.” This connection between the man and the plants that bear his name serves as an example of how immortality is sought through scientific legacy. However, the poem subtly suggests the futility of this pursuit: while the plants continue to evolve and flourish, they do so “with no knowledge of bearing a name / of anyone,” completely indifferent to the human significance attached to them.

The final lines of the poem emphasize this indifference: “and their fragrance if it / reminds at all not reminding of him.” Even the most fragrant of flowers, which might seem to carry a piece of the botanist’s legacy, do not actually preserve any memory of him. The flowers are simply part of the natural world, operating independently of human concerns about memory, naming, or immortality.

“Night Fragrance” is a profound reflection on the ephemeral nature of human attempts to achieve immortality through naming, memory, and legacy. Merwin’s use of language highlights the contrast between the human desire for permanence and the indifferent, ongoing processes of the natural world. The poem suggests that while we may seek to preserve our names and achievements through various means, the natural world will continue to exist and evolve without any regard for these efforts. Ultimately, “Night Fragrance” invites readers to contemplate the limits of human influence and the fleeting nature of our attempts to leave a lasting mark on the world.

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