Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "William Carlos Williams," Robert Lowell offers a reflective and intimate portrait of the American poet, capturing both his physical presence and the essence of his personality. The poem juxtaposes Williams' identity as a poet with his roles as a son and a man navigating the complexities of aging and familial relationships.

The poem opens with a question, "Who loved more?" which sets the tone for an exploration of love's expressions and its manifestations in Williams' life. This question invites readers to consider the depth and nature of Williams' affection—perhaps for his craft, his family, or life itself.

Lowell vividly describes Williams' appearance: "in collegiate black slacks, gabardine coat, and loafers polished like rosewood on yachts." This imagery conveys a sense of casual sophistication and timelessness. The comparison of his polished loafers to rosewood suggests a refined elegance, while "stonefoot" implies a grounded and steady presence. The phrase "straying stonefoot through his town-end garden" evokes an image of Williams as a contemplative figure, wandering through his own domain, both physically and metaphorically.

The description of Williams' physical state reflects the toll of aging: "man and flower seedy with three autumn strokes." This line metaphorically links Williams to a withering flower, emphasizing the decline brought on by strokes. The "three autumn strokes" also suggest a connection to the season of autumn, often associated with decline and approaching end. His "brown, horned eyes enlarged, an ant's, through glasses" offers a striking visual, portraying him as both keenly observant and somewhat alien in appearance, heightened by the distortion of his glasses.

The poem introduces Williams' mother, describing her in vivid, almost harsh terms: "stonedeaf, her face a wizened talon, her hair the burnt-out ash of lush Puerto Rican grass." The imagery of "wizened talon" and "burnt-out ash" conveys a sense of age and desolation. Her "black, blind, bituminous eye inquisitorial" suggests a penetrating, perhaps unforgiving gaze, adding a layer of tension to their relationship.

The interaction between Williams and his mother is both tender and brutally honest. When he asks, "Mama, which would you rather see here, me or two blondes?" it reflects a moment of candid humor and a complex familial bond. This question, followed by Williams' remark about his mother living past a hundred, "The old bitch is over a hundred, I'll kick off tomorrow," captures the tension between affection and exasperation. It reveals a raw, unfiltered communication that is characteristic of close familial ties.

Williams' self-assessment, "I am sixty-seven, and more attractive to girls than when I was seventeen," adds a layer of introspection and self-awareness. This line can be interpreted as a reflection on his enduring charisma and perhaps a hint of self-irony, acknowledging the paradox of feeling youthful attraction despite the ravages of age.

Overall, "William Carlos Williams" by Robert Lowell is a poignant and multi-layered poem that captures the essence of Williams as both a poet and a person. Through rich imagery and candid dialogue, Lowell explores themes of aging, familial relationships, and the complexities of self-perception. The poem offers a nuanced portrayal of a man confronting the realities of mortality while retaining a sense of humor and resilience.

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