one of the things i love about this poem is that the last line lets us know exactly what the speaker/son "had to do," but did not. and now of course can not. just like so many of us sons. this poem is surprising because Merwin was generally reticent about personal situations like this one, even if this one is fictitious. which it probably isn't. a very moving poem.
I confess to having been put off my stride by the lack of punctuation in Mr Merwin's later work; however, I am discovering through this video and others that he was a superlative reader of verse. Simply a joy to listen to. A voice that loved language. May he rest in peace and light.
I was fortunate to have known Bill Merwin. He was a unique human being and a gentleman. We sat on a porch one evening in San Luis Obispo after a reading at the college and talked about the poetry of Benjamin Saltman. He later wrote the blurb for the back of Saltman's "The Book of Moss," which I first published in 1992. He also arranged a ride for me in Los Angeles after a reading he gave at the College of the Canyons. I had hitched a ride to see him and mentioned it. I had no car at the time. He asked others who had come to the reading to see if someone would give me a lift to Burbank. He was that kind of person.
Merwin 's poem, Yesterday, touches me so deeply every time I hear him read it. It is a poem that belongs to me somehow. It reminds me of my father, of course, with whom I did not have a good relationship, and he is gone. Deep inside, I loved my father, and Merwin reminds me so. Life is so short, I was telling my daughter by phone this morning. Love your father, I said, because he will be gone someday and you may not have an opportunity. What a wonderful man Merwin is. I admire him.
I love commenting on poetry because there's never more than a few commenters, not thousands vying for a space. And they are kind, ironic, etc., not vicious. I wish I were a better reader of poetry, Merwin's poetry makes me wish I was a better reader of poetry here in my young-ish old age. I had an experience, sort of the flip side of this poem's story, in which I got to the point that I was able to tell my Dad I loved him, no, really loved him, and he said, "Okay." It's kind of a poem. I'm not sure I actually like Merwin as a person but his poem "Thanks" is very moving and helpful to me.
I've just discovered Merwin and I love him as a person. After watching an interview of him and another program on him I am enamored with him and his poetry.
Just read. If you enjoy, keep reading...for reading any poet, you get out of it what you want to take. That is what poetry is. It is disjointed sentences and memories and themes you have to put back together in the context of your life.
Often, I find it hard to engage with Merwin on the page because of the absence of punctuation. But hearing him read, especially this poem which is totally heartbreaking, makes me want to work harder to invest myself in his poetry
I hear he’s a private person. Apparently he rarely answers the telephone, and even when he’s out with other people he would sit quietly and eat oysters by himself. I wouldn’t take it personally.
Only your self-interest matters... I suspect Mr Merwin didn't wanr to associate himself with your 'poetry'. I base this on the standard of your English above.
one of the things i love about this poem is that the last line lets us know exactly what the speaker/son "had to do," but did not. and now of course can not. just like so many of us sons. this poem is surprising because Merwin was generally reticent about personal situations like this one, even if this one is fictitious. which it probably isn't. a very moving poem.
Every time I hear and see him read this poem, I can’t stop my own tears.
I confess to having been put off my stride by the lack of punctuation in Mr Merwin's later work; however, I am discovering through this video and others that he was a superlative reader of verse. Simply a joy to listen to. A voice that loved language. May he rest in peace and light.
Read it out loud to yourself, each time you visit the poem, and the punctuation will come to you over time.
I was fortunate to have known Bill Merwin. He was a unique human being and a gentleman. We sat on a porch one evening in San Luis Obispo after a reading at the college and talked about the poetry of Benjamin Saltman. He later wrote the blurb for the back of Saltman's "The Book of Moss," which I first published in 1992. He also arranged a ride for me in Los Angeles after a reading he gave at the College of the Canyons. I had hitched a ride to see him and mentioned it. I had no car at the time. He asked others who had come to the reading to see if someone would give me a lift to Burbank. He was that kind of person.
Combined with the fact that so many people can relate to this, I think it's the honesty that makes it so good.
Merwin 's poem, Yesterday, touches me so deeply every time I hear him read it. It is a poem that belongs to me somehow. It reminds me of my father, of course, with whom I did not have a good relationship, and he is gone. Deep inside, I loved my father, and Merwin reminds me so. Life is so short, I was telling my daughter by phone this morning. Love your father, I said, because he will be gone someday and you may not have an opportunity. What a wonderful man Merwin is. I admire him.
that is great
I love commenting on poetry because there's never more than a few commenters, not thousands vying for a space. And they are kind, ironic, etc., not vicious. I wish I were a better reader of poetry, Merwin's poetry makes me wish I was a better reader of poetry here in my young-ish old age. I had an experience, sort of the flip side of this poem's story, in which I got to the point that I was able to tell my Dad I loved him, no, really loved him, and he said, "Okay." It's kind of a poem. I'm not sure I actually like Merwin as a person but his poem "Thanks" is very moving and helpful to me.
I've just discovered Merwin and I love him as a person. After watching an interview of him and another program on him I am enamored with him and his poetry.
Just read. If you enjoy, keep reading...for reading any poet, you get out of it what you want to take. That is what poetry is. It is disjointed sentences and memories and themes you have to put back together in the context of your life.
he is to be treasured i think
so touching for an excellent video
He is really great speaker.
Often, I find it hard to engage with Merwin on the page because of the absence of punctuation. But hearing him read, especially this poem which is totally heartbreaking, makes me want to work harder to invest myself in his poetry
Great work. W.S. Merwin is a legend. If you don't like too much modern poetry, check out J.G. Finch. Really great modern poet.
Wow! He IS a good reader.
intro by Garrison Keillor?
Oh...haha...it's in the credits.
excellent. I am in kihei on Maui. Would enjoy meeting him someday, especaily if he's on Maui. Ed Jor-El Elkin
Did you ever get to meet him?
I'm a Poet and he Refused to Blurb my Book, despite being the first to sweep all 3 poetry Awards @ my University. Not a generous man.
I hear he’s a private person. Apparently he rarely answers the telephone, and even when he’s out with other people he would sit quietly and eat oysters by himself. I wouldn’t take it personally.
Only your self-interest matters... I suspect Mr Merwin didn't wanr to associate himself with your 'poetry'. I base this on the standard of your English above.
POIGNANT, BRILLIANT. Sorry for grandcaravan who cannot see the beauty of these words coming from the US POET LAUREATE ! :)
I'm realated
Oh yes
He doesn't really listen. He's too busy hearing his own voice echo through his vacuous soul.
Why do you dislike him
so touching for an excellent video