Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov's poem "These Words Also" intricately weaves together themes of memory, loss, and the relentless passage of time, presenting a poignant snapshot of a moment laden with emotional weight. Through its vivid imagery and reflective tone, the poem explores the aftermath of an event, encapsulating the intersection of past and present, and the enduring nature of certain moments and objects.

The poem begins with a focus on a letter from a mother, lying on a table where it was "opened and read and put down." This letter represents a tangible connection to the past, a relic of a moment that "remains what it never was" and "what it will not be again." These phrases underscore the paradoxical nature of memory and the passage of time, where an event is both preserved and irrevocably altered by the act of remembering. The letter, unchanged in its physical form, holds within it the mutable and subjective nature of human experience.

Nemerov transitions to a broader reflection on the words themselves, likening them to the sun's brilliant emergence, which brings forth life and illumination. This metaphor suggests that words, like sunlight, have the power to reveal and create, but also to bear the weight of unbearable truths. The quote within the poem—"After a night of drink and too much talk, / After the casual companions had gone home, / She did this ... ."—introduces a narrative of regret and consequence, implying a significant and possibly tragic event that followed a night of excess.

The poem's focus shifts to the environment, describing how silence grows "austere" as the phone rings unanswered in a room "that wanted to be empty." This imagery evokes a profound sense of isolation and unresolved tension, where the ringing phone symbolizes a call for connection or resolution that goes unmet. The room's desire for emptiness reflects a longing for escape from the emotional burden of the event hinted at in the letter.

In the garden, the sunlight is described as "heavy and still," framing the flowers in a golden light that seems to suspend them in time. These "picture-book / Flowers" evoke a nostalgic, almost idyllic vision of a "forbidden childhood," suggesting a contrast between the innocence and simplicity of the past and the complex, often painful reality of the present. The flowers, particularly the "pale lemony lilies" and "pansies with brilliant scowls," are personified, pretending to be children and embodying a semblance of life and continuity.

The poem contemplates the nature of existence, asserting that "it is beautiful enough, to live," even amidst hunger and reflection. This statement acknowledges the inherent struggle and contemplation involved in living, framing life as a series of thresholds and delicate balances. The "black and gold morning" continues, symbolizing the duality of beauty and darkness, and the ongoing nature of life despite individual moments of crisis.

The closing lines bring the focus back to a more immediate and tangible scene, where "red ants are pulling a shiny beetle along / Through the toy kingdom where nobody thinks." This image of industrious ants in a miniature world devoid of thought highlights the contrast between human consciousness and the natural world's oblivious persistence. It serves as a reminder of the small, almost inconsequential nature of individual human dramas in the broader tapestry of life.

"These Words Also" by Howard Nemerov is a contemplative exploration of time, memory, and the human condition. Through its rich imagery and reflective narrative, the poem captures the delicate interplay between past and present, the weight of unspoken words, and the quiet resilience of life. Nemerov's nuanced portrayal invites readers to consider the enduring impact of fleeting moments and the beauty inherent in the act of living.

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