Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "One Way" is a poignant exploration of existential longing, dissatisfaction, and the relentless pursuit of meaning in a world that often feels devoid of it. The speaker in the poem seems to be caught in a perpetual cycle of hunger—both literal and metaphorical—that drives them to follow a path marked by struggle, loss, and a yearning for something unattainable. Through its evocative imagery and introspective tone, the poem delves into themes of despair, persistence, and the search for continuity in the face of life's uncertainties.

The poem begins with a striking image of "hunger" that "Gets up in the middle of a meal and without / A word departs." This personification of hunger suggests that it is not simply a physical need, but a driving force or companion that the speaker cannot live without. The hunger is so integral to the speaker's existence that they feel compelled to follow it, asking themselves, "What / Would I be without her?" This line indicates that the speaker's identity is deeply tied to this sense of unfulfilled desire or longing, as if without it, they would be incomplete.

The setting of "Night" and the speaker's admission that they are "As old as pain" emphasizes the timelessness and universality of their struggle. The darkness of night symbolizes the unknown, the void that the speaker must navigate, with no other story to tell but one of enduring pain and endless search. The speaker's questioning—whether there is a "map" or even a "name" for what they are experiencing—reflects a deep sense of disorientation and a desire for understanding that remains unmet.

The imagery of a "starved path, / Licking stones" conveys the harshness and desolation of the journey the speaker is on. The phrase "one side has eaten the other" suggests a world where everything is in conflict, where even the path itself is consumed by its own contradictions. This imagery underscores the sense of futility and bitterness that the speaker feels as they continue along this unforgiving route.

The speaker's reflection that their "mouth / Works like a heart" indicates that their words and expressions are as vital and essential as their heartbeat, yet they are also driven by this insatiable hunger. The realization that they are becoming "like shadows" and learning "How they hate" suggests a growing detachment and alienation from the world around them, as if they are fading into something insubstantial, driven by emotions that are increasingly dark and hostile.

As the poem progresses, the speaker experiences the disappearance of hunger ("And then she is gone"), leaving them in a state of resigned despair. The mention of "owls / Digesting in silence" evokes a sense of stillness and finality, as if the world has accepted this state of being without question. The speaker, too, refuses to look up and confront the stars, acknowledging that "despair has no star." This line suggests a loss of hope or guidance, as if the speaker has come to accept that there is no higher purpose or direction in their despair.

Despite this bleak outlook, the speaker persists, lifting their feet "in their dice-boxes"—an image that evokes the idea of chance or fate determining their steps. The speaker believes they continue "As she would have done," indicating that they are following the path that hunger, or their driving force, would have taken, even if they do not fully understand why.

The poem's tone shifts slightly toward the end, as the speaker notes that "Somewhere / The light begins to come to itself." This suggests the possibility of renewal or change, even if it is distant or faint. The horizon, once a distant line, "Climbs down from its tree and moves toward" the speaker "With offerings." This image of the horizon bringing offerings suggests that there may be something new or redemptive waiting ahead, a gesture of the world opening up to the speaker after their long journey of dissatisfaction.

In the final lines, the speaker arrives at a table "which she has set with / The old plates," where "she is waiting." This return to a familiar scene—one of shared meals and companionship—implies a reunion or a cyclical return to a place of comfort, albeit one tinged with the weight of the past ("the old plates"). The day returning "like a friend / Bringing others" suggests that despite the struggles and the despair, there is a sense of continuity, of life going on, bringing with it new experiences and perhaps new forms of connection.

"One Way" is a deeply reflective poem that captures the tension between the relentless pursuit of meaning and the acceptance of life's inherent uncertainties and losses. Through its rich imagery and introspective tone, Merwin explores the complexities of human existence—our drives, our despair, and the ways in which we navigate the winding paths of our lives. The poem ultimately suggests that even in the face of profound disillusionment, there is a persistence, a movement forward, that carries us toward whatever the horizon may hold, offering glimpses of connection and continuity along the way.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...