Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Howard Nemerov’s poem "Waiting Rooms" explores the concept of waiting as a universal and timeless human experience, one that transcends specific locations and situations. Through this meditation, Nemerov delves into the nuances of time, anticipation, and the often monotonous yet profound nature of waiting.

The poem opens with a rhetorical question: "What great genius invented the waiting room?" This question sets the tone for a contemplation on the simplicity and ingenuity of the waiting room as a concept. Nemerov notes that while great ideas are often simple, "Simplicity alone is never enough." This suggests that the true brilliance of the waiting room lies in its ability to transform time itself—into "Pure time, refined, distilled, denatured time / Without qualities, without even dust."

Nemerov vividly describes the atmosphere of a waiting room, where even dust in a sunbeam can evoke a sense of eternity: "Dust in a sunbeam between Venetian blinds / Where a boy and his mother wait ... Eternity!" This scene captures the suspended reality of waiting, where time seems to stretch infinitely, filled with anticipation and uncertainty.

The poem then broadens its scope, considering waiting rooms across various contexts: "All over the globe, in the great terminals / And the tiny rooms of disbarred abortionists, / For transport, diagnosis, or divorce." This list underscores the ubiquity of waiting rooms in diverse and often profound moments of human life. The mention of these varied scenarios emphasizes that waiting is an inherent part of many significant life experiences, from travel to medical procedures to legal matters.

Nemerov acknowledges the vastness of the theme with a touch of humility: "Maybe this mighty and terrible theme / Is too much for me. But wait! I have an idea." This self-reflection introduces a shift in the poem, moving towards a philosophical exploration of the nature of waiting and time.

The poet reflects on the notion that "anything / May instantly turn into everything," highlighting the potential and unpredictability inherent in every moment of waiting. This concept is both "wonderful" and "horrible," as it reveals the infinite possibilities and uncertainties that lie within each waiting period.

Nemerov illustrates how waiting rooms are a liminal space between "anticipation and regret," where time and motion are illusions. He suggests that our perception of time—whether we are moving at "sixty miles an hour or six hundred"—is manipulated by forces beyond our control, likening it to "an illusion sent by devils."

The poem also touches on a metaphysical dimension, considering even the waiting in heaven: "Think how even in heaven where they wait / The Resurrection, even in the graves / Of heaven with the harps, this law applies: / One waiting room will get you to the next." This imagery portrays waiting as an eternal and inescapable condition, extending even to the afterlife.

Nemerov brings the meditation back to a personal level, describing a familiar waiting room with "old magazines on the end tables" and "the goldfish in the bowl below the window / Where the sunbeam falls between Venetian blinds." This return to the mundane reinforces the universality of waiting, making it relatable and tangible.

The final lines of the poem connect the personal waiting room to a broader existential perspective: "And in the downstairs hall there is your mailbox, / One among many gathering paper and dust, / A waiting room in figure, summing up / Much in a little, the legendary box / Where hope only remains. You wait and see." The mailbox symbolizes the daily anticipation and the accumulation of time and messages, embodying the ongoing cycle of waiting and hoping.

"Waiting Rooms" by Howard Nemerov is a profound exploration of the human experience of waiting. Through its rich imagery and philosophical reflections, the poem captures the essence of waiting as a universal and multifaceted phenomenon, revealing the deep emotional and temporal complexities that lie within this seemingly simple act.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...