Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Afterlife" offers a poignant reflection on the transition from military service back to civilian life, juxtaposing the immediate post-war experience with a contemplation of the ultimate afterlife. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem explores themes of freedom, disillusionment, and the enduring impact of military discipline.

The poem opens with a collective perspective, referencing "The many of us that came through the war / Unwounded and set free in Forty-Five." This introduction situates the speaker among the numerous soldiers who survived World War II, capturing a sense of shared experience and relief at having escaped physical harm. The phrase "set free in Forty-Five" emphasizes the liberation felt at the war’s end, yet the ensuing lines hint at a more complex reality.

Nemerov reflects on the "afterlife" that the soldiers had "learned enough to wait for, not expect." This distinction between waiting and expecting underscores a sense of cautious anticipation, shaped by the harsh realities of "boredom, fear, fatigue" experienced during the war. The "afterlife" here is metaphorical, representing the soldiers' return to civilian life and the uncertain future awaiting them.

The poem transitions to a specific moment of personal recollection: "Fort Dix, there at the gate, boarding the bus / That let me off in Newark to catch a train / That took me to Penn Station and left me there." This sequence of events portrays the speaker's physical journey from the military base to the bustling heart of New York City, symbolizing the broader transition from structured military life to the freedom and anonymity of civilian existence.

Arriving at Penn Station, the speaker finds himself "Once more the young man on his own and free / Without much money, and with not much to do." This return to civilian life is marked by both liberation and uncertainty. The phrase "The Gates of Paradise opened and let me out" conveys a sense of release, yet it is tempered by the speaker's lack of direction and resources. The "Gates of Paradise" metaphorically suggest the allure of freedom, but also the daunting reality of navigating life without the strictures of military order.

The poem then shifts to a reflection on the ultimate afterlife, drawing a parallel between the post-war experience and the concept of life after death. "In the real one, as I understand it now," the afterlife is depicted as a return to a kind of military-like base camp, where souls are "lined up for uniforms and shots" and subjected to "incomprehensible commands." This vision of the afterlife suggests a return to a regimented existence, echoing the discipline and obedience enforced in military life.

Nemerov captures the strangeness of this transition, acknowledging that "It will feel strange at first. But so it goes." This closing line conveys a resigned acceptance of the inevitable cycle of order and obedience, whether in life or in the afterlife. The phrase "But so it goes" echoes a sense of fatalistic acceptance, reflecting the speaker’s understanding of the continuity of disciplined structures even beyond death.

"Afterlife" by Howard Nemerov thus explores the nuanced transition from war to peace and the existential contemplation of life after death. Through its reflective tone and vivid imagery, the poem delves into the complexities of freedom, the enduring impact of military discipline, and the cyclical nature of structured existence. The juxtaposition of the immediate post-war experience with the ultimate afterlife invites readers to consider the broader implications of liberation and the persistence of order, both in life and beyond.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Selected_Poems_of_Howard_Nemerov/z6YuZdJAzBwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=afterlife

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