Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Free" is a haunting meditation on the enduring presence of suffering and the invisibility of those who endure it. Through its stark and vivid imagery, the poem delves into themes of violence, displacement, and the paradoxical nature of freedom, where the cost of survival often comes with a profound sense of loss and erasure.

The poem opens with a visceral image: "So far from the murders, the ruts begin to bleed." This line immediately sets a tone of violence and lingering trauma. The "ruts" suggest well-worn paths or scars left by repeated harm, and their bleeding indicates that the pain from these acts continues to surface, even at a distance from the original violence. The mention of "murders" situates the poem in a context of deep loss, where the physical and emotional scars of violence persist long after the events themselves.

The next lines, "but no one hears our voices / above the sound of the reddening feet," emphasize the silencing of those who suffer. The "reddening feet" evoke an image of people walking through blood, their movements drowned out by the weight of the violence they carry with them. This suggests that the voices of the afflicted are overwhelmed by the continuing presence of violence, making it impossible for their pain to be fully acknowledged or understood.

"They leave us the empty roads" conveys a sense of abandonment and isolation. The "empty roads" symbolize paths that have been deserted, possibly by those who have fled or been taken away, leaving behind a haunting emptiness. This abandonment extends to the next line: "They leave us for companions, for messengers, for signs, / The autumn leaves before the winter pains." Here, the speaker is left with the remnants of the past—autumn leaves—symbols of decay and the inevitability of winter, which represents further suffering and hardship.

The phrase "We move among them, doubly invisible, like air touching the blind" captures the profound sense of invisibility and disconnection experienced by the survivors. They are "doubly invisible," not only unnoticed by others but also moving through a world that no longer sees or acknowledges them. The comparison to "air touching the blind" suggests an existence that is both essential and unnoticed, a presence that is felt but not seen, highlighting the isolation and marginalization of those who have suffered.

The poem concludes with a chilling reflection: "And when we have gone, they say we are with them forever." This final line underscores the paradox of memory and presence. Even in death or disappearance, the survivors are said to be "with them forever," suggesting that the impact of their suffering remains, haunting those who continue on. Yet, this permanence is bittersweet, as it is tied to the unacknowledged and unhealed wounds left by violence and loss.

"Free" is a powerful exploration of the aftermath of violence and the enduring impact of suffering. Through its spare and evocative language, Merwin captures the complex emotions of those who survive atrocities, only to find themselves silenced and invisible in a world that has moved on. The poem invites readers to reflect on the ways in which trauma persists, often unnoticed, in the lives of individuals and communities, and how the legacy of violence continues to shape the present, even as it fades into memory.

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