Born on this day March 3, 1926, James Merrill, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, profoundly transformed the landscape of American poetry through his innovative use of language and form. His seminal works, The Changing Light at Sandover and Divine Comedies, stand as landmark texts that showcase his exceptional talent and unique voice.
The Changing Light at Sandover is a 560-page epic that underscores Merrill’s extraordinary contribution to American poetry. With its intricate structure and unconventional narrative, the poem broke free from the traditional constraints of poetic form, providing a new direction for American literary expression. This work is recognized not only for its technical brilliance but also for its depth and range of human emotions. Merrill’s ability to weave an intricate tapestry of themes—love, loss, beauty, and mortality—is a testament to his mastery of the poetic craft.
Merrill’s Divine Comedies, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1977, also played a significant role in reshaping the contours of American poetry. The collection exhibits Merrill’s deft interplay of wit and profundity, drawing on a wide range of references from Greek mythology to contemporary events. His imaginative exploration of human relationships and existential questions set new standards for poetic discourse.
James Merrill’s creative genius, as epitomized in The Changing Light at Sandover and Divine Comedies, revolutionized American poetry. He pushed the boundaries of what poetry could be and what it could achieve. His work is characterized by an unrelenting quest for truth and beauty, coupled with an unwavering commitment to artistic innovation. Merrill’s profound influence on American poetry remains palpable even today, making him a towering figure in the annals of American literature.
Another April
The panes flash, tremble with your ghostly passage
Through them, an x-ray sheerness billowing, and I have risen
But cannot speak, remembering only that one was meant
To rise and not to speak. Young storm, this house is yours.
Let our eye darken, your rain come, the candle reeling
Deep in what still reflects control itself and me.
Daybreak’s great gray rust-veined irises humble and proud
Along your path will have laid their foreheads in the dust.
-James Merrill
Curated by Jennifer
