Explain the meaning of the title of William Carlos William's poem "The Term."

I see this poem a little differently than the previous answerer, but that is part of what is so wonderful about poetry! It can be interpreted in many different ways.

I see the poem's imagery as representative of how humankind can go through horrible and tragic circumstances, but still rise up and continue on in their lives.  I see the poem as one that points out the resilience of humankind; not how humankind is "crushed" and cannot recover.