Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Invocation" is a brief but evocative meditation on the challenge of expression and the persistence of creativity in the face of difficulty. The poem captures a moment of anticipation and readiness, where the speaker confronts the daunting task of creating something meaningful, despite feeling unprepared or inadequate. Through its sparse imagery and introspective tone, the poem explores themes of struggle, creativity, and the resilience required to continue the artistic endeavor.

The poem opens with the striking image of "The day hanging by its feet with a hole / In its voice." This surreal and almost unsettling image suggests a sense of inversion or disarray, as if the natural order of things has been disrupted. The day, which is typically associated with light, order, and productivity, is here depicted as something being held upside down, vulnerable, and silenced ("with a hole / In its voice"). This could symbolize the speaker's sense of disorientation or the feeling that the day has been rendered impotent, unable to fully articulate or express itself.

The following line, "And the light running into the sand," continues this theme of dissolution and loss. Light, which usually symbolizes clarity and understanding, is depicted as something that is slipping away, being absorbed or lost in the sand. This image of light running into sand evokes a sense of futility, as if something vital is dissipating before it can be grasped or used. The imagery suggests the difficulty of holding onto inspiration or meaning, as it seems to seep away into the indifferent world.

Amidst this imagery of loss and disarray, the speaker introduces themselves: "Here I am once again with my dry mouth / At the fountain of thistles." The phrase "dry mouth" implies a sense of thirst or longing, possibly for inspiration, expression, or clarity. However, the "fountain of thistles" suggests that what is available to quench this thirst is not a source of refreshment but rather something harsh, prickly, and unyielding. Thistles, which are often associated with toughness and difficulty, reinforce the idea that the creative process is fraught with challenges and obstacles.

Despite these challenges, the speaker is "Preparing to sing." This final line captures the essence of the poem: the determination to create, to express, and to engage in the artistic process, even when the circumstances are less than ideal. The act of singing, often associated with joy, expression, and the release of emotion, contrasts with the dry mouth and the fountain of thistles. It suggests a kind of resilience, a commitment to the creative act despite the obstacles and the apparent lack of resources or inspiration.

"Invocation" is a poem that encapsulates the struggle of the artist or creator in confronting the void, the difficulty of finding meaning and expression in a world that can often seem indifferent or unyielding. Through its stark and vivid imagery, Merwin conveys the persistence required to continue the creative process, to prepare to sing even when the conditions seem hostile or barren. The poem serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and determination that underlie the act of creation, and the enduring hope that something meaningful can emerge from even the most challenging circumstances.

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