Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

William Stanley Merwin's poem "Route with No Number" is a contemplative and enigmatic exploration of departure, loss, and the inescapable passage of time. Through a series of vivid and often surreal images, the poem delves into themes of alienation, the futility of seeking permanence, and the inevitable disillusionment that comes with the journey of life. The speaker reflects on the paths taken, the decisions made, and the ultimate realization that the journey is one of continuous movement, where the destination remains elusive and the sense of belonging is never fully attained.

The poem opens with the speaker leaving behind symbolic remnants: "money in the bread-box, / Heart in the ice-box, / And in the mail-box, around the key, / A handkerchief for good-byes." These items suggest a deliberate and thoughtful departure, where the speaker leaves behind both material and emotional tokens for those who might follow. The juxtaposition of "heart in the ice-box" evokes a sense of emotional detachment or preservation, while the "handkerchief for good-byes" signifies a farewell, possibly to a life or identity that the speaker is leaving behind.

As the poem progresses, the speaker provides a series of directions, each one more surreal than the last. The instructions to "Turn away" at the "avenue of promises" and to follow "the street of the burying beetles" suggest a journey away from the familiar and the predictable, toward a path that is darker, stranger, and more uncertain. The reference to "famous" individuals who "Sleep on their secrets" in a park hints at the idea that even those who are well-known or celebrated are ultimately forgotten, their secrets buried with them.

The poem's surreal imagery intensifies with the description of the "turnstile of the hesitants," where the speaker leaves a "ticket" in a "little bee hole at eye level." The toll keeper, described as "not honest but... / Cowardly and... / Has no legs," is a grotesque figure, possibly symbolizing the arbitrary or corrupt gatekeepers of society who have no real power to stop the speaker from moving forward. The idea that the road "is moving under your feet" adds to the sense of disorientation, as if the journey itself is unpredictable and beyond control.

As the speaker reflects on this journey, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance of the absurdity of life. The speaker muses on the possibility of a future where "there will be / No more migration, only travel, / No more exile, only distances." This line suggests a longing for a time when the painful separation of exile will be replaced by mere travel, where distance does not carry the same weight of loss. Yet, there is an underlying acknowledgment that such a future is likely unattainable.

The speaker's indifference to "the jabber of bells / And the senseless applause of clocks" reveals a disillusionment with the passage of time and the rituals of life that once may have held significance but now seem meaningless. The arrival of "collectors" who demand "back taxes" for the past, present, and future is a metaphor for the inescapable burdens and demands that life imposes, regardless of one's circumstances or choices.

The poem continues with the speaker's reflection on the inevitability of their journey and the realization that there is no hope for return or redemption: "Either way, I must tell you, in my present place / I can't hold out hope or any other flags." The mention of "Eyes lined up to ripen on all the sills" suggests a loss of privacy and the sense that the speaker is constantly observed or judged, even in their most vulnerable moments.

The speaker's visit to the "Day of the Dog" and the churches that left them "disappointed" further underscores the theme of disillusionment with institutions or beliefs that once may have offered solace but now seem empty or irrelevant. The image of "streets where the hands of the beggars / Are left out at night like shoes in a hotel corridor" is a haunting portrayal of abandonment and the stark reality of poverty, suggesting that even the most desperate are left behind in this journey.

In the final stanzas, the speaker reflects on their current state, sitting "Behind filthy nightscapes, in the echoing room provided, / Among a few retired ornaments." The emptiness of the room, the lack of heating, and the "last apples" suggest a sense of finality, as if the speaker is approaching the end of their journey. The mention of "Mother, Father, Luke and John" evokes a sense of familial ties and perhaps a longing for connection or redemption, but this is tempered by the recognition that "the game / Always turns out the same."

The poem concludes with a poignant reflection on choice and fate: "Think of the cards that were held out to me / And I had to choose this one!" This final line suggests a sense of regret or resignation, as the speaker reflects on the choices that led them to this point, recognizing that the journey was shaped as much by fate as by their own decisions.

"Route with No Number" is a deeply introspective and evocative poem that captures the complexities of life as a journey filled with uncertainty, loss, and the search for meaning. Through its rich and surreal imagery, Merwin explores the inevitability of change and the realization that, in the end, we are all travelers on a road with no clear destination, shaped by the choices we make and the paths we follow. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys and the ways in which they navigate the shifting landscapes of life.

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