Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Man Who Writes Ants" is a richly enigmatic piece that explores themes of anonymity, identity, memory, and the inexorable passage of time. Through the use of surreal imagery and a meditative tone, the poem presents a figure who is defined by his mysterious actions and his writings, yet remains largely unknowable. The poem examines the complex relationship between the self, the world, and the traces we leave behind.

The poem begins with a striking image: "Their eggs named for his eyes I suppose / Their eggs his tears / His memory." This immediately sets up a symbolic connection between the unnamed man and ants, creatures known for their industrious, relentless activity. The "eggs" may symbolize the beginnings or outcomes of his actions—each one a small, fragile product of his life. The association of these eggs with "tears" and "memory" suggests that his work is both deeply personal and emotional, perhaps driven by loss or longing.

The lines "Into / The ground into the walls over the sills" evoke the ants' natural movement, which is mirrored by the man's actions as he spreads his influence or work across various spaces. This movement symbolizes a journey or a quest, one that is pervasive and unrelenting. The mention of "each cross road" implies critical moments or decisions in his life, yet the man continues to move forward, driven by an unseen force or purpose.

The recurring phrase "Called by what trumpet" introduces a sense of destiny or compulsion. The trumpet, often associated with a call to action or judgment, represents a driving force that compels the man to continue his journey. This raises questions about the nature of his mission—what is he being called to do, and by whom or what?

The poem's speaker admits, "I know him from tunnels by side roads I know him / Not his face if he has one / I know him by his writings." This admission underscores the man's anonymity and the fact that he is known only through the traces he leaves behind—his writings. These writings, much like the ants, are small and seemingly insignificant, yet collectively they form a significant part of his identity. The speaker's temptation "to draw him / As I see him" reflects a desire to understand or capture the essence of this elusive figure, but it remains an impossible task.

The image of the man with "Sandals stride flag on his shoulder ship on it signalling / Mask on the back of his head" is rich with symbolism. The sandals suggest a humble, itinerant existence, while the flag and ship indicate a journey or mission. The mask on the back of his head may symbolize deception or the duality of his identity—an attempt to conceal his true self even as he moves forward. The man's blindness, mentioned twice, adds to his mysterious nature, suggesting that he is guided by something beyond sight or reason, perhaps by the very trumpet that calls him.

The speaker's assertion, "He leaves my eyes he climbs my graves I pass the names," conveys a sense of separation and distance between the speaker and the man. The graves and names evoke mortality and the passage of time, reinforcing the idea that the man's journey is intertwined with themes of death and memory. Yet, despite this connection, the speaker clarifies, "He is not followed I am not following him no," indicating that their paths, while parallel, are not the same.

The poem culminates in the speaker's solitary walk: "Today the day of the water / With ink for my remote purpose with my pockets full of black." The water may symbolize life or purification, while the ink represents the act of writing—of leaving behind a record, much like the man with the ants. The "pockets full of black" suggest a heavy burden or the weight of words and memories that the speaker carries.

In the final lines, the speaker repeats, "I am walking in silence I am walking in silence I am walking / In single file listening for a trumpet." This repetition emphasizes the solitary nature of the speaker's journey, one that mirrors the man's but remains distinct. The act of "listening for a trumpet" suggests a readiness or anticipation for a call to action, echoing the man's own journey driven by an unseen force.

"Man Who Writes Ants" is a meditation on the human condition, exploring how we define ourselves through our actions and the traces we leave behind. The poem's surreal imagery and ambiguous narrative invite readers to consider the nature of identity, the passage of time, and the ways in which we navigate our own journeys, often guided by forces we cannot fully understand. Merwin's work challenges us to reflect on our own lives, our legacies, and the mysterious impulses that drive us forward, even when the path ahead remains unclear.

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