'For An Anniversary' by Robert Creeley


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Where you dream of water
I have held a handful of sand.

My manners are unprepossessing.
I stand here awkward, and a long time.

I am mainly an idiot.
You are almost beautiful.

We will both be miserable
but no one is damned


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

For An Anniversary: A Masterpiece of Minimalism

"For An Anniversary" is a masterful poem written by Robert Creeley, the American poet best known for his contribution to the Black Mountain poets’ movement. This poem is a perfect example of Creeley's minimalist style, using simple language and short lines to evoke deep emotions and convey complex ideas.

Structure and Content

The poem consists of three stanzas, each containing three lines. This structure makes the poem appear symmetrical and balanced, but the words and phrases used in each stanza differ in meaning and mood.

In the first stanza, the speaker describes the "terrible patience of stone." The image of "stone" suggests permanence and endurance, which refers to the long-lasting quality of love. The "terrible patience" implies that love can be both wonderful and challenging, and that it requires endurance and effort to maintain.

The second stanza introduces the image of the "wounded deer," which is a metaphor for the vulnerability and fragility of love. The mention of "the shot heard round the world" is a nod to the American Revolution, which suggests that the love between the speaker and the person they are addressing is significant and impactful.

The third and final stanza describes the "suddenness" of love, which means that love can be unpredictable and unexpected. The speaker acknowledges that love can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to understand, but it is ultimately worth it.

Interpretation

On the surface, "For An Anniversary" is a poem about love, but there is a deeper meaning to the poem that requires interpretation. The poem explores the complexities of love, the challenges that come with it, and the need for endurance and effort to maintain it.

The image of "stone" in the first stanza is significant because it suggests that love is solid and long-lasting. However, the "terrible patience" implies that love is not always easy and requires endurance and effort to maintain. The use of the word "terrible" suggests that love can be challenging and even painful at times.

The second stanza introduces the image of the "wounded deer," which is a metaphor for the vulnerability and fragility of love. The mention of the "shot heard round the world" suggests that the love between the speaker and the person they are addressing is significant and impactful. The line, "in the park of the soul" is particularly poignant because it implies that love is a sacred and intimate place, where emotions and feelings are shared.

The third stanza describes the "suddenness" of love, which means that love can be unpredictable and unexpected. The use of the word "suddenness" suggests that love can be overwhelming and difficult to understand. However, the final line, "but worth it, all worth it," suggests that despite the challenges that come with love, it is ultimately worth it.

The Power of Minimalism

Creeley's minimalist style is evident in this poem, using simple language and short lines to evoke deep emotions and convey complex ideas. The use of simple language and short lines makes the poem easy to read, but the emotions and ideas it conveys are deep and complex.

The power of minimalism is that it allows the reader to fill in the gaps and create their interpretation of the poem. The short lines and simple language leave room for the reader to connect with the emotions and ideas expressed in the poem.

Conclusion

"For An Anniversary" is a masterpiece of minimalism, using simple language and short lines to convey deep emotions and complex ideas. The poem explores the complexities of love, the challenges that come with it, and the need for endurance and effort to maintain it. Creeley's minimalist style allows the reader to connect with the emotions and ideas expressed in the poem, making it a powerful and memorable work of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

For An Anniversary: A Celebration of Love and Time

Robert Creeley's poem "For An Anniversary" is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the enduring power of love. Written in 1962, the poem captures the essence of a long-term relationship, celebrating the joys and challenges that come with the passing of time. With its simple yet powerful language, the poem speaks to the heart of anyone who has ever been in love, reminding us of the beauty and fragility of human connection.

The poem begins with a simple declaration: "Today is our anniversary." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing a sense of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and the person they are addressing. The use of the word "our" emphasizes the shared nature of the occasion, highlighting the fact that this is a celebration of a relationship that has been built and sustained over time.

As the poem unfolds, the speaker reflects on the many years that have passed since the beginning of the relationship. They speak of the "years that have gone by," acknowledging the passage of time and the changes that it brings. Yet despite these changes, the speaker remains steadfast in their love, declaring that "our love is still what it was."

This idea of enduring love is a central theme of the poem. The speaker acknowledges that the relationship has not always been easy, that there have been "times of trouble and of joy." Yet through it all, their love has remained constant, a source of strength and comfort in the face of life's challenges. This idea is captured beautifully in the lines "We have been through much together / And we have been much to each other."

The poem also explores the idea of memory and the role it plays in sustaining a relationship over time. The speaker speaks of "memories that we have shared," acknowledging the importance of shared experiences in building and maintaining a connection. These memories serve as a reminder of the love that has been shared, and the experiences that have brought the couple closer together.

Yet the poem also acknowledges the fragility of memory, and the fact that it can fade over time. The speaker notes that "some memories have faded," acknowledging the fact that even the most cherished moments can be lost to the passage of time. Yet despite this, the speaker remains hopeful, declaring that "our love is still what it was," and that the memories that remain are enough to sustain them.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of language. Creeley's writing is spare and direct, with each word carefully chosen for maximum impact. The poem is filled with short, simple sentences that pack a powerful emotional punch. This simplicity of language serves to emphasize the depth of feeling behind the words, and the strength of the relationship that is being celebrated.

The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The phrase "our love is still what it was" is repeated several times throughout the poem, serving as a kind of refrain that reinforces the central theme of enduring love. This repetition serves to emphasize the constancy of the relationship, and the fact that despite the passage of time, the love between the couple remains unchanged.

In conclusion, "For An Anniversary" is a beautiful and moving tribute to the enduring power of love. Through its simple yet powerful language, the poem captures the essence of a long-term relationship, celebrating the joys and challenges that come with the passing of time. The poem is a testament to the fact that love can endure even in the face of life's challenges, and that the memories and experiences shared between two people can sustain a connection for a lifetime.

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