Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Finally" is a profound meditation on the inevitable confrontation with one's inner self, as well as the elusive nature of understanding and acceptance. The poem captures a moment of surrender and reconciliation, where the speaker is ready to face the truth about themselves, their fears, and their past. Through its evocative language and imagery, the poem delves into themes of self-awareness, integrity, and the search for clarity in the midst of darkness.

The poem opens with a direct and personal invocation: "My dread, my ignorance, my Self, it is time." This opening line signals that the speaker is addressing their deepest fears and uncertainties, acknowledging them as integral parts of their identity. The repetition of "my" emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of this confrontation. The phrase "it is time" suggests that this moment has been long awaited or inevitable, a reckoning that can no longer be postponed.

The speaker then describes the imminence of this encounter, which "Prowls the palms of my hands like sweat." This simile conveys a sense of anxiety and anticipation, as if the speaker's hands, often symbols of action or control, are now betraying their nervousness. The imminence of this confrontation is something that the speaker cannot avoid—it is as close and unavoidable as sweat on their palms.

The speaker pleads with their inner self not to retreat: "Do not now, if I rise to welcome you, / Make off like roads into the deep night." This line suggests a fear that the moment of truth will slip away, that the opportunity for understanding will vanish into the darkness if not fully embraced. The "deep night" symbolizes the unknown, the uncharted territory of the self that the speaker is finally willing to explore.

In the next lines, "The dogs are dead at last, the locks toothless, / The habits out of reach," the speaker acknowledges that the usual defenses or distractions—symbolized by the dogs, locks, and habits—are no longer effective. The "dogs" could represent fears or anxieties that have finally been silenced, while "locks" might symbolize barriers or protections that have lost their power. "Habits out of reach" suggests that the routines or behaviors that once provided comfort or distraction are no longer accessible, leaving the speaker vulnerable but also ready for the truth.

The declaration "I will not be false to you tonight" is a vow of honesty and authenticity. The speaker is determined to face this moment without deception or evasion, ready to accept whatever truths emerge.

The invitation to "Come, no longer unthinkable. Let us share / Understanding like a family name" reflects a desire for deep connection and acceptance. The speaker wishes to embrace understanding as something fundamental and shared, much like a family name that is passed down through generations. This understanding, once "unthinkable," is now something the speaker is ready to claim and integrate into their identity.

The speaker then asks for "Integrity as a gift, something / Which I had lost, which you found on the way." Integrity is presented as a lost treasure, something that the speaker had misplaced but is now being offered by this imminent confrontation with the self. The idea that it was "found on the way" suggests that this integrity was always within reach, but perhaps unnoticed or unacknowledged until now.

The old knife mentioned in "I will lay it beside us, the old knife, / While we reach our conclusions" symbolizes a tool or weapon, something that could have been used for harm or protection. By laying it aside, the speaker indicates a readiness to engage in this dialogue or reckoning without the need for defense or aggression. The knife, now disarmed, becomes a symbol of relinquished power or violence, making way for a more peaceful resolution.

The final lines of the poem draw a powerful image: "Come. As a man who hears a sound at the gate / Opens the window and puts out the light / The better to see out into the dark, / Look, I put it out." Here, the speaker compares their readiness to confront the unknown with a man who hears something at the gate and, instead of retreating, extinguishes the light to better see into the darkness. This act of putting out the light is symbolic of the speaker's willingness to embrace the unknown, to see clearly without the distractions or illusions that light might provide. By choosing to face the dark directly, the speaker shows a readiness to confront the full depth of their inner self, without fear or avoidance.

"Finally" is a deeply introspective poem that explores the themes of self-confrontation, acceptance, and the pursuit of integrity. Through its evocative imagery and candid tone, Merwin invites readers to reflect on their own moments of reckoning, the times when they must face their inner truths and accept the parts of themselves that they may have long avoided. The poem's closing act of extinguishing the light to see into the dark serves as a powerful metaphor for the courage it takes to embrace the unknown aspects of the self, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding and acceptance.

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