Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Standards" reflects on the themes of identity, change, and the burdens of leadership or responsibility. The speaker wrestles with the need for a new symbol—represented by a flag—that can embody their evolving sense of self or purpose. Through its vivid imagery and introspective tone, the poem explores the tension between continuity and transformation, as well as the pressure to maintain a sense of direction or meaning in the face of personal and external demands.

The poem opens with a declaration: "Nothing will do but / I must get a new flag." This statement immediately sets the tone of urgency and necessity, as if the speaker has reached a point where the old symbols, the old ways of representing themselves, are no longer sufficient. The flag, a traditional symbol of identity, allegiance, or cause, has become inadequate, worn out by time and the weight of past experiences.

The line "I've buried enough under this one" suggests that the current flag, or symbol, has seen too much—perhaps too much loss, too many failures, or too much history that the speaker wishes to move beyond. The burial imagery evokes a sense of finality, as if the speaker is ready to lay to rest the old identity or past associations that the flag represents.

The mention of "Followers, mad for a bit of color" introduces the idea of external expectations. The speaker feels the pressure from others who look to them for guidance or inspiration, symbolized by the followers who crave "a bit of color." This line suggests that the speaker is aware of the need to present something new, something vibrant, to satisfy the demands or expectations of those who look up to them.

The speaker reflects on the ongoing nature of their journey or struggle: "And the end I suppose is not yet." This acknowledgment of an unfinished journey is paired with striking natural imagery: "The way the trees come beating / Their horses, and the wheat is camped / Under its dead crow, / The rivers under themselves." These lines evoke a sense of movement and life intertwined with death, as if the natural world is both active and burdened by its own history. The "dead crow" in the wheat suggests a symbol of death or loss, while the "rivers under themselves" conveys a sense of self-containment, as if the natural elements are turned inward, introspective.

The speaker then admits, "I'm not ready / To just sit down and let the horizon / Ride over me." This line expresses a refusal to give up or surrender to the forces of time and change. The horizon, often a symbol of the future or the inevitable passage of time, is something the speaker refuses to be overwhelmed by. Instead, they are determined to take action, to find a new symbol—a new flag—that can represent their current state or aspirations.

The poem shifts to a moment of introspection: "Maybe I thought / I could go on and on flying the same rag, / Like the fire." The speaker reflects on the idea of continuity, of maintaining the same identity or symbol "like the fire," which burns steadily. However, they recognize that this is no longer possible: "But it's faded white and I'm / Not the fire." The flag has faded, lost its color and meaning, and the speaker acknowledges that they are not an unchanging, eternal force like fire. Instead, they must adapt, must find "Something bright and simple to signify / Me."

The speaker's task is described as a daunting one: "What an order." The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the weight of the responsibility to find a new symbol that can effectively represent who they are or what they stand for. The challenge is not just about choosing a new flag, but about defining oneself in a way that is both "bright and simple," clear yet meaningful.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the speaker's past symbol: "Up until now the pulse / Of a stone was my flag / And the stone's in pieces." This image of a stone—a symbol of solidity, permanence, and endurance—suggests that the speaker's previous identity or guiding principle was something strong and unyielding. However, the stone has now shattered, indicating that the old identity or symbol has been broken, perhaps by the passage of time or by the weight of accumulated experiences.

"Standards" is a poem about the necessity of change, the challenges of leadership or self-representation, and the personal journey of redefining oneself. Through its rich imagery and introspective tone, Merwin explores the complexities of identity and the pressures that come with maintaining a sense of purpose or direction in a constantly changing world. The poem ultimately suggests that while the task of finding a new symbol or identity is daunting, it is also essential for growth and continuity in the face of life's inevitable transformations.

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