"Knowing some Greek helped defuse forbidding words - not that I counted much on using them. You'll find only trace elements of this language in the poem"

This quote by James Merrill is describing making use of Greek words in his poem. He is stating that understanding some Greek helped him to comprehend and utilize words that might have otherwise been too difficult or intimidating. He acknowledges that he did not rely greatly on utilizing Greek words in his poem, but that there are still some micronutrient of the language present. This quote is a testament to the power of language and how it can be utilized to create something beautiful and significant. It also speaks with the significance of knowing and comprehending different languages, as it can open up a world of possibilities. Knowing Greek permitted Merrill to reveal himself in a manner that he might not have actually been able to do otherwise.