Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin’s poem “Fishermen” is a poignant reflection on the lives of those who labor at sea, providing sustenance to others through their skill and courage, yet often remaining anonymous and unacknowledged. Through vivid imagery and a tone that is both admiring and melancholic, Merwin explores themes of human dependence on nature, the unrecognized labor of the working class, and the quiet, often tragic sacrifices made by those who sustain us.

The poem opens with an observation of the fishermen’s physical presence: “When you think how big their feet are in black rubber, / And it slippery underfoot always, it is clever / How they thread and manage among the sprawled nets, lines.” This description highlights the fishermen’s adeptness in navigating the dangerous and precarious environment of the deck. The image of “big feet in black rubber” emphasizes their solid, grounded presence, while the “sprawled nets, lines, / Hooks, spidery cages” suggests a chaotic, potentially treacherous workspace. Despite these challenges, the fishermen are depicted as skillful and agile, moving with ease in a space that would confound those unaccustomed to it.

Merwin then underscores the anonymity of these laborers: “But they are used to it. We do not know their names.” This line introduces a sense of distance between the fishermen and the people they serve. The fishermen are familiar with the dangers and demands of their work, but they remain largely invisible to the rest of society. Their names are unknown, suggesting a lack of recognition for the vital role they play in providing food and sustenance.

The poem goes on to describe the fishermen’s connection to the needs of others: “They know our needs, and live by them, lending them wiles / And beguilements we could never have fashioned for them.” Here, Merwin acknowledges the fishermen’s intimate understanding of the natural world and their ability to use that knowledge to meet the needs of society. The “wiles” and “beguilements” refer to the techniques and strategies the fishermen employ to catch fish, skills that are beyond the comprehension of those who benefit from their labor.

The poem deepens its exploration of the fishermen’s work by depicting the act of fishing as something almost mystical: “They carry the ends of our hungers out to drop them / To wait swaying in a dark place we could never have chosen.” The “ends of our hungers” suggests that the fishermen take on the collective desires and needs of society, venturing into the unknown, “a dark place,” to fulfill them. This place, the sea, is presented as both mysterious and forbidding—a realm that most people would never willingly enter.

Merwin then touches on the disconnect between those who fish and those who eat: “By motions we have never learned they feed us.” This line emphasizes the specialized knowledge and skills of the fishermen, which are foreign to the average person. The fishermen’s ability to “feed us” is rooted in their mastery of these “motions,” which remain obscure and inaccessible to the broader public.

The poem closes with a somber acknowledgment of the dangers the fishermen face: “We lay wreaths on the sea when it has drowned them.” This final line serves as a stark reminder of the risks inherent in the fishermen’s work and the ultimate price some pay. The act of laying wreaths on the sea symbolizes a ritual of mourning and respect, but it also highlights the belated recognition the fishermen receive only after they have been lost to the sea. The wreaths are a token of honor, yet they come too late to be of any comfort or acknowledgment to the fishermen themselves.

“Fishermen” is a meditation on the invisible yet essential labor that sustains society and the often-unacknowledged sacrifices of those who perform it. Merwin’s careful attention to the physical and existential challenges faced by fishermen invites readers to reflect on the broader implications of dependence, anonymity, and the quiet heroism of those who work in the shadows to provide for others. Through this poem, Merwin honors the resilience and skill of fishermen while also mourning the fact that their contributions are often recognized only in death.

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