Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Lost Month" is an enigmatic and atmospheric exploration of memory, identity, and the passage of time. Through its vivid and often mysterious imagery, the poem delves into the themes of loss, transformation, and the way certain experiences leave lasting, yet incomplete, imprints on our sense of self.

The poem opens with the striking image of "The light of the eyes in the house of the crow." Crows are often symbolic of mystery, change, or even omens, and the "house of the crow" suggests a place of darkness or a domain where these transformations occur. The "light of the eyes" within this setting could represent fleeting moments of clarity or insight within a space that is otherwise obscured or haunted by the unknown.

The following line, "Here the gods' voices break and some will never sing again, but some come closer and whisper. Never their names," introduces a sense of divine or spiritual fragmentation. The breaking of the gods' voices suggests a disruption of divine order or communication, with some voices lost forever and others becoming more intimate yet unnamed. The idea that these whispers are nameless enhances the theme of the ineffable and the elusive nature of certain truths or experiences that we can sense but never fully grasp or articulate.

Merwin then presents a powerful metaphor: "There are no hinges. One side of a door is simply forgotten in the other." This suggests a loss of connection or continuity, where what was once a functional passage—a door—has become divided, with one side of it forgotten within the other. The absence of hinges, which normally facilitate movement and connection, underscores the idea of being trapped or cut off from a previous state or memory, leaving a sense of incompleteness or disorientation.

The poem continues with the image of "permissions" appearing in the windows, "already lit, unasked," but tempered by "the wind of parsimony." These permissions, which are illuminated without being sought, might symbolize opportunities or possibilities that come into being regardless of human intention. However, the wind of parsimony—a wind that suggests stinginess or scarcity—blows through, indicating that these opportunities are limited or constrained by a larger, unforgiving force. The shadows that "strain at their slender leashes" add to the sense of tension and restriction, with the shadows representing aspects of the self or psyche that are kept in check but are constantly pushing against their boundaries.

The next image is particularly vivid: "One fine day the first knives come through the mirrors, like fins of sharks." Mirrors typically symbolize reflection, self-examination, or the way we perceive ourselves and others. The intrusion of knives into this reflective space is jarring, suggesting a violent disruption or attack on one's self-image or understanding. The comparison to "fins of sharks" evokes a sense of predatory danger lurking just beneath the surface, ready to strike at any moment. While "the images heal," the poem notes that they do so "imperfectly," indicating that once the mirror—our perception—is shattered, the process of healing is incomplete or flawed, leaving lasting scars or distortions.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the self: "We discover parts of ourselves which came to exist under this influential sign." This final line suggests that the experiences and transformations described in the poem—however mysterious or painful—have a profound impact on the formation of identity. The "influential sign" could be understood as the overarching force or circumstance under which these changes occurred, shaping parts of ourselves that we might not have recognized before.

"Lost Month" is a richly layered poem that weaves together images of fragmentation, loss, and the haunting persistence of memory. Through its evocative and sometimes unsettling imagery, Merwin explores how certain periods of our lives—marked by confusion, disruption, or revelation—leave behind indelible traces on our identities. The poem invites readers to contemplate the nature of these experiences, the ways they transform us, and the imperfections that remain as we move forward.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...