Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin’s poem “Song with the Eyes Closed” delves into the intricate realms of sleep, desire, and discontent. Through enigmatic and evocative language, Merwin explores the boundaries between the conscious and unconscious, the physical and the metaphysical. The poem’s imagery and rhythm create a dreamlike quality, mirroring the themes it addresses.

The poem opens with the line, “I am the shape in sleep,” establishing the speaker as an entity within the realm of dreams. This line suggests an existence that is both tangible and ephemeral, a presence defined by its indistinctness. The speaker is not fully formed but is instead a "shape"—something mutable and elusive, reflecting the nature of sleep and dreams.

Merwin introduces “seasonal beasts” with “petulant rough step” that “forsake my random coasts.” These beasts symbolize the external, perhaps cyclical forces that intrude upon the speaker’s internal landscape. Their “petulant rough step” conveys a sense of irritation and disturbance, indicating that these forces are unwelcome and disruptive. The “random coasts” suggest a landscape that is undefined and ever-changing, much like the shifting terrain of dreams.

The speaker continues, “I am the face recedes / Though the pool be constant.” This line juxtaposes the constancy of the pool—a symbol of reflection and stillness—with the receding face, representing the fleeting nature of identity and self-awareness within the dream state. The pool, with its reflective surface, implies a duality and depth, hinting at the subconscious layers of the mind.

The phrase “Whose double kingdom feeds / The sole vein’s discontent” further explores this duality. The “double kingdom” suggests two realms—perhaps the conscious and the unconscious—that nourish the “sole vein’s discontent.” This vein represents a singular, persistent source of unease or dissatisfaction, highlighting the inner conflict and restlessness that pervade the speaker’s existence.

Merwin then introduces the concept of desire: “I have seen desire, such / As a violent hand, / Murder my sleep.” Here, desire is personified as a violent force that disrupts the tranquility of sleep. The imagery of a “violent hand” conveys aggression and intrusion, suggesting that desire can be destructive and overwhelming. The murder of sleep indicates a profound disturbance, where the peace and rest associated with sleep are shattered by intense longing or craving.

The closing lines, “as much / Is suffered of the wind,” draw a parallel between the effects of desire and the suffering caused by the wind. The wind, often a symbol of change and uncontrollable external forces, represents the relentless pressures and disturbances that impact the speaker. The comparison underscores the inevitability and intensity of both desire and external turmoil, suggesting that both are powerful forces that shape and disrupt the inner world.

“Song with the Eyes Closed” masterfully intertwines themes of sleep, desire, and discontent through its lyrical and evocative language. Merwin’s use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a rich, dreamlike atmosphere that captures the complexity of the human psyche. The poem invites readers to reflect on the boundaries between the conscious and unconscious, the self and the external world, and the persistent forces that shape our inner experiences.

Through its exploration of these themes, the poem emphasizes the duality and conflict inherent in the human condition. It portrays the restless pursuit of desire and the inevitable disturbances of external forces as integral parts of our existence. Merwin’s poetic vision offers a contemplative and nuanced perspective on the interplay between inner and outer worlds, leaving readers with a profound sense of the intricate and often turbulent nature of the human soul.

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