Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem “Approaches” encapsulates the poet’s signature themes of isolation, the ephemeral nature of existence, and the elusive pursuit of meaning. Merwin, a prolific and influential American poet, employs sparse yet vivid imagery to evoke a world teetering on the edge of desolation and hope. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, capturing the sense of wandering through life with no clear direction but with an enduring desire to find a semblance of warmth and understanding.

The poem opens with the striking image of "The glittering rises in flocks / suddenly in the afternoon." This opening line sets a tone of abruptness and unexpectedness, suggesting moments of clarity or insight that come without warning. The “glittering” can be interpreted as fleeting moments of beauty or realization, which "hang / voiceless above the broken / houses.” This juxtaposition of beauty and destruction underscores the fragility of human constructs and the silence that often follows calamity.

Merwin’s use of imagery is both stark and evocative. The “cold in the doorways / and at the silent station” conveys a sense of abandonment and chill, both physical and emotional. This coldness is further emphasized by the “hammers / out of hearts / laid out in rows in the grass,” a haunting metaphor for the remnants of human effort and emotion left to wither in the aftermath of some unnamed catastrophe.

The second stanza shifts focus to the natural world, describing how "The water is asleep / as they say / everywhere / cold cold." This repetition of "cold" reinforces the pervasive sense of desolation and stillness. The nighttime sky, described as being “in many / pieces in the dark,” reflects the fragmented nature of existence and the scattered remnants of light left by the stars. These stars “set out / and leave their light,” suggesting a departure or loss that leaves only traces behind.

In the final stanza, the poem takes on a more personal tone as the speaker reflects on their own journey. Upon waking, the speaker acknowledges, “I may never / get there but should get / closer.” This line captures the essence of human striving, the perpetual movement towards a goal that may never be fully realized. The speaker’s vision of “figures I go toward them waving / they make off / birds” highlights the elusive nature of connection and guidance. The figures, like birds, are fleeting and unattainable, leaving the speaker to navigate alone.

The poem concludes with a reference to “the warm ruins / Canaan / where the fighting is.” Canaan, often associated with the Promised Land in biblical tradition, here becomes a place of ruin and conflict. This inversion of the promised land into a site of ongoing strife underscores the poem’s theme of disillusionment. The warmth in the ruins hints at a lingering sense of life and hope amidst destruction, but it is marred by the reality of continued fighting.

“Approaches” is a profound meditation on the human experience, characterized by its stark imagery and poignant reflections. Merwin’s use of simple, evocative language draws the reader into a world where beauty and desolation coexist, and where the quest for meaning is fraught with obstacles and uncertainties. The poem’s strength lies in its ability to convey complex emotions and ideas through minimalistic yet powerful imagery, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.

Merwin’s exploration of isolation, the fleeting nature of moments, and the constant search for warmth and understanding resonates deeply, reflecting the universal human condition. The poem serves as a reminder of the resilience required to navigate life’s uncertainties and the enduring hope that drives us forward, even in the face of insurmountable odds. Through “Approaches,” Merwin invites us to contemplate our own journeys and the fragments of light we seek amidst the darkness.

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