Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anthony Hecht’s poem "Murmur" draws the reader into a contemplative exploration of the subtle and often disconcerting undercurrents that accompany our existence. With a tone that oscillates between the mystical and the ominous, Hecht masterfully captures the persistent whispers of fate, mortality, and the unseen forces shaping our lives.

The poem begins with an epigraph that juxtaposes two lines from Sir Philip Sidney and William Butler Yeats: "Look in thy heart and write" and "O heart, O troubled heart." This establishes an introspective framework, urging the reader to delve into the complexities of the heart and its worries. Hecht then opens with imagery that suggests the quiet yet powerful presence of these worries: "A little sibilance, as of dry leaves, / Or dim, sibylline whisper, not quite heard." The use of "sibilance" and "sibylline" evokes a sense of ancient prophecy and mystery, indicating that these whispers carry significant, perhaps fateful, messages.

Hecht describes how these whispers, though faint, are decisive: "Thus famously the powers that be converse / Just out of earshot, and theirs is the last word." This suggests that the ultimate decisions about our lives are made by unseen forces, leaving us mere recipients of their decrees. The "Joint Chiefs" and the "Underground" are metaphorical representations of these authoritative voices, symbolizing both officialdom and covert power.

The poem transitions to a more personal and immediate setting with the image of "a porch at evening," where the poet observes the world around him. Here, Hecht masterfully blends natural imagery with the theme of ominous news: "We notice a vague uproar / Of bees in the hollyhocks. Does the darkening rose / Hum with an almost imperceptible sound?" These lines evoke a serene yet slightly unsettling scene, where even the beauty of nature hints at hidden disturbances. The "small vibrato" of the rose suggests that nature itself is whispering news of distant conflicts.

Hecht intensifies this sense of unease with the image of the night nurse and the intern: "You've seen the night nurse, who hugs your fever chart / Defensively to her bosom's alpine slopes, / Confer with an intern who lounges against a wall, / A boy not half your age." This scene, likely set in a hospital, emphasizes the vulnerability and helplessness of the patient, who overhears but does not understand the critical discussions about their health. The nurse and intern's serious conversation "earnestly trifling with your hopes" underscores the theme of being at the mercy of others' decisions and the inscrutability of fate.

The reference to a long-distance telephone call further deepens the poem’s exploration of isolation and impending doom: "And remember again the long-distance telephone / When you're asked to hold the line, and way far off / A woman's cracked-voiced, broken-hearted plea / Is answered only by a toneless cough." This image of a fractured, desperate conversation highlights the emotional distance and helplessness experienced when faced with life's unavoidable tragedies.

The poem concludes with a classical reference, comparing the whispers of fate to the reminder given to triumphant Roman generals: "This latest leak from an invisible source / Speaks like the slave appointed to hover near / The emperor, triumph-crowned in gold and myrtle, / And regularly to breathe in Caesar's ear / As they pursue the via sacra's course / Through the great crowds, 'Remember you are mortal.'" This powerful image serves as a memento mori, a reminder of human mortality and the transient nature of power and success.

In "Murmur," Hecht intricately weaves together themes of fate, mortality, and the omnipresent yet often unnoticed forces that shape our lives. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, the poem invites readers to reflect on the subtle, pervasive whispers that remind us of our vulnerability and the fleeting nature of our existence.

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