A Poem by the New Poet Laureate, W.S. Merwin

W.S. Merwin is the new poet laureate of the United States. For all his giftedness and the power of his verse, and for all the years he has been sharing this gift with the world, I was introduced to his poetry only a couple years ago. Kerson Huang, emeritus professor of physics at MIT, poet, and friend to me, suggested that, as good and touching as my preferences in poetry might be, they were missing something important, something profoundly personal and moving, if they did not include the poetry of Hawaii's octogenarian treasure, W.S Merwin. 

He directed me to an interview and discussion with Merwin by PBS' Bill Moyers which was both engaging and intriguing. (The interview can still be found on-line. And the other night, Merwin was again interviewed by PBS, this time by the News Hour on the occasion of his appointment as poet laureate.) But to encourage my interest in reading more of W.S. Merwin's poetry, Kerson first sent me this poem:

"Yesterday" My friend says I was not a good son you understand I say yes I understand he says I did not go to see my parents very often you know and I say yes I know even when I was living in the same city he says maybe I would go there once a month or maybe even less I say oh yes he says the last time I went to see my father I say the last time I saw my father he says the last time I saw my father he was asking me about my life how I was making out and he went into the next room to get something to give me oh I say feeling again the cold of my father's hand the last time he says and my father turned in the doorway and saw me look at my wristwatch and he said you know I would like you to stay and talk with me oh yes I say but if you are busy he said I don't want you to feel that you have to just because I'm here I say nothing he says my father said maybe you have important work you are doing or maybe you should be seeing somebody I don't want to keep you I look out the window my friend is older than I am he says and I told my father it was so and I got up and left him then you know though there was nowhere I had to go and nothing I had to do --W.S. Merwin