Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Departure's Girlfriend" is a surreal and introspective exploration of loneliness, identity, and the search for meaning amidst a disorienting urban landscape. Through vivid imagery and a dreamlike narrative, Merwin delves into the protagonist's emotional journey, blending reality with metaphor to create a meditation on loss, disillusionment, and the desire for escape.

The poem opens with an image of loneliness "leapt in the mirrors," suggesting a pervasive sense of isolation that the speaker attempts to avoid by covering the mirrors "like cages." The mirrors, which typically reflect reality, are hidden away, indicating the speaker's unwillingness or inability to confront their own loneliness directly. This act of covering the mirrors symbolizes an attempt to escape from the harsh truths they reveal.

However, the speaker soon devises "a better thing," a new plan or coping mechanism that sets the stage for the rest of the poem. The late-night setting in the city introduces a sense of mystery and solitude as the speaker embarks on a journey to "my boat," carrying a large wreath with the words "Bon Voyage" written in what seems like "real silver." The wreath, typically associated with celebration or mourning, becomes a symbol of departure and farewell, embodying both hope and sorrow.

As the speaker walks through the city, they describe the night as "mine but everyone’s, like a birthday." This paradoxical statement reflects the speaker's complex relationship with the world around them—feeling both a sense of ownership and connection, yet also recognizing that the experience is universal, shared by all. The night, with its "fur touched my face in passing," is personified, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the poem.

The speaker's journey is filled with anticipation as they approach the wharf, expecting to find their boat. The wreath they carry is described as if it were alive, with some leaves "holding my hands" and others "waved good-bye as I walked." This imagery suggests that the speaker is deeply invested in the symbolic meaning of the wreath and the departure it represents. However, upon reaching the wharf, they find no boat and no one to meet them—except for a young man in a uniform who challenges the speaker's claim to the boat.

The young man's assertion that "it isn’t your boat, / You don’t have one" shatters the speaker's illusion, forcing them to confront the reality of their situation. The speaker's insistence on ownership, backed by the symbolic wreath, is dismissed with the blunt statement, "You don’t own anything here." This interaction highlights the theme of disillusionment, as the speaker's carefully constructed narrative of departure and ownership is stripped away, revealing a deeper sense of loss and emptiness.

As the speaker turns away, the "injustice of it / Lit up the buildings," transforming the city into a nightmarish reflection of their internal turmoil. The city becomes "the other and hated city / Where I was born," a place of origin that represents the speaker's unresolved past and the painful memories that haunt them. The city's lights, "crawling over the stone like flies," spell out the word "now," emphasizing the inescapable present moment and the cyclical nature of the speaker's emotional journey.

The poem concludes with the speaker stepping "once more / Through a hoop of tears" and continuing to walk, holding the "buoy of flowers" as a symbol of their lingering hope and desire for a "good voyage." The buoy, typically used to mark safe passage, becomes a fragile marker of the speaker's resilience, held up against the overwhelming tide of disillusionment and despair.

"Departure's Girlfriend" is a poignant exploration of the human experience of loneliness, loss, and the yearning for meaning in a world that often seems indifferent or hostile. Merwin's use of surreal imagery and a fluid narrative structure creates a dreamlike atmosphere that mirrors the speaker's inner turmoil and quest for identity. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of disillusionment and the ways in which they navigate the complexities of life, holding on to symbols of hope even in the face of inevitable loss.

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