Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Accidents of Birth" by William Meredith is a contemplative meditation on the randomness and preciousness of life, weaving philosophical reflections with personal gratitude. The poem opens with two epigraphs—one from Blaise Pascal and the other from Wendell Berry—that set the stage for an exploration of existence, consciousness, and the fortuitousness of human encounters.

Pascal's reflection in *Pensées* touches on the bewildering vastness of the universe and the arbitrary nature of human existence within it. He ponders the randomness of being in a particular place and time, highlighting a sense of existential wonder and confusion. Wendell Berry echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the unique convergence of history and mystery in the present moment, where consciousness becomes a lively, questioning presence.

Meredith begins the poem by describing the renewed perspective of those spared from death, whether by accident or disease. The "car or airplane crash" and "malignancy" symbolize near-death experiences that bring a heightened awareness and appreciation for life. The metaphor of "blinking eyes like these" suggests a fresh, astonished gaze at the world, newly recognized for its beauty and value. This heightened perception is not merely about survival but about the renewed appreciation of existence itself.

The poet then shifts to a more personal reflection, describing his own miraculous survival and return from the brink of death: "For I’ve been brought back again from the / fine silt, the mud where our atoms lie / down for long naps." This imagery evokes the idea of being returned from a state of dormancy or dissolution, akin to a resurrection. The "lava of chance" metaphorically represents the unpredictable forces that shape our lives, sometimes sparing us from oblivion and sometimes not. The phrase "Here I am, brought back, set up, not yet / happened away" captures the fragile and temporary nature of existence, as well as the sense of being temporarily "set up" in life, awaiting an eventual end.

Meredith moves beyond the individual experience to contemplate the shared human condition, especially the miraculous encounter with another person: "not just me being here again, old / needer, looking for someone to need, / but you, up from the clay yourself." This acknowledgment of another's presence emphasizes the shared randomness of existence. The poet marvels at the improbability of their meeting, both having emerged "from the clay" of the earth, crossing paths "in the same little eon."

The poem culminates in a profound recognition of the cosmic scale and the fleeting nature of time: "and the whole galaxy gaping there / and the centuries whining like gnats." This imagery juxtaposes the vastness of the universe with the minuscule and ephemeral nature of human life, emphasizing both the grandeur and the insignificance of human experiences. The poet expresses a deep, almost ungraspable gratitude for this encounter and the shared vision it provides: "to teach me to see it, to see / it with you, and to offer somebody / uncomprehending, impudent thanks."

"Accidents of Birth" encapsulates the wonder and randomness of human existence. Meredith's use of philosophical and cosmic imagery underscores the inexplicable nature of being alive in a specific time and place, and the miraculous nature of human connection. The poem is a meditation on the gratitude and humility that arise from recognizing the sheer improbability of existence and the preciousness of shared moments in the vast tapestry of the universe. Through his contemplative and lyrical exploration, Meredith invites readers to reflect on their own lives and the serendipitous nature of their existence.

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