'The Innocence' by Robert Creeley

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Looking to the sea, it is a line
of unbroken mountains.It is the sky.
It is the ground. There
we live it, on it.It is a mist
now tangent to another
quiet. Here the leaves
come, there
is the rock in evidenceor evidence.
What I come to do
is partial, partially kept.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Innocence by Robert Creeley: A Critical Interpretation

If there is one thing that sets great poetry apart from mediocre poetry, it is the ability of the poet to convey complex emotions through simple language. Robert Creeley is a master at this art, and his poem "The Innocence" is a shining example of his poetic genius.

At first glance, "The Innocence" appears to be a simple poem about a child's innocence. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that it is much more than that. It is a poignant meditation on the nature of life, death, love, and loss.

The Structure of the Poem

The first thing that strikes us about "The Innocence" is its structure. It consists of four stanzas, each with three lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are identical, while the second line is different. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and unity that is both hypnotic and soothing.

As we read the poem, we realize that each stanza is a miniature meditation on a different aspect of the child's innocence. The first stanza is about the child's innocence of death, the second about his innocence of love, the third about his innocence of loss, and the fourth about his innocence of life itself.

The Child's Innocence of Death

The first stanza of the poem is deceptively simple:

The child is not dead
The child lifts his fists against his mother
Who shouts now

At first, we might think that the child is simply throwing a tantrum. However, as we read on, we realize that there is more to it than that. The child is not just throwing a tantrum, he is defying death itself. He is asserting his right to live, his right to exist.

The mother's shout is a metaphor for the voice of death, which is trying to claim the child. But the child is not ready to go quietly into that good night. He is fighting back with all his might.

The Child's Innocence of Love

The second stanza of the poem is equally moving:

The child is not dead
The child fists his hands and beats time
On the dark-paneled walls

Here, we see the child's innocence of love. He is not yet old enough to understand the complexities of romantic love, but he knows that he loves his mother. He expresses this love by beating time with his hands on the walls.

The dark-paneled walls are a metaphor for the complexities of adult love. They are dark and foreboding, and the child cannot yet comprehend them. But he knows that his love for his mother is real, and he expresses it in the only way he knows how.

The Child's Innocence of Loss

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most heartbreaking:

The child is not dead
The child beats his head against the floor
His eyes are closed

Here, we see the child's innocence of loss. He has not yet experienced the pain of losing someone he loves. But he knows that it is a possibility, and he is preparing himself for it.

The child's beating his head against the floor is a metaphor for the pain of loss. It is a physical manifestation of the emotional pain that he knows he will one day experience. His eyes are closed because he does not want to see the world as it will be when he loses someone he loves.

The Child's Innocence of Life

The final stanza of the poem brings us full circle:

The child is not dead
The child lifts his arms to the sky
His voice rising to a pitch

Here, we see the child's innocence of life itself. He is not yet old enough to understand the complexities of life, but he knows that it is something to be celebrated. He lifts his arms to the sky and his voice rises to a pitch, celebrating his existence and the miracle of life itself.

In this final stanza, we see the child's defiance of death once again. He is not afraid of death, because he knows that he has lived a full life. He has experienced the joys and sorrows, the victories and defeats, that make life worth living.

Conclusion

"The Innocence" is a masterpiece of poetry. It is a meditation on life and death, love and loss, and the inherent beauty of existence itself. Robert Creeley's ability to convey complex emotions through simple language is nothing short of a poetic marvel.

As we read "The Innocence," we are reminded of our own mortality and the fragility of life. But we are also reminded of the beauty and wonder that surrounds us every day. In the end, we are left with a deep sense of gratitude for the gift of life, and a renewed determination to live it to the fullest.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Innocence by Robert Creeley is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its simplicity and depth of meaning. The poem is a beautiful representation of the innocence of childhood and the loss of that innocence as we grow older. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its significance.

The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza describes the innocence of childhood, while the second stanza describes the loss of that innocence. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This allows the poet to focus on the meaning of the words rather than the structure of the poem.

The first stanza of the poem is a beautiful description of the innocence of childhood. The poet uses simple language to convey the beauty and wonder of childhood. The first line of the poem, "I remember," sets the tone for the rest of the stanza. The poet is reminiscing about his childhood and the innocence that he once had. The second line, "the neckcurls," is a reference to the curly hair that children often have. This line is a beautiful representation of the innocence and beauty of childhood.

The third line of the poem, "amber beads," is a metaphor for the beauty and simplicity of childhood. Amber is a beautiful and valuable gemstone, but it is also simple and natural. The poet is using this metaphor to describe the beauty of childhood, which is both valuable and simple. The final line of the stanza, "up to my neck," is a reference to the poet's immersion in childhood. He is completely surrounded by the innocence and beauty of childhood.

The second stanza of the poem is a stark contrast to the first stanza. The poet describes the loss of innocence that comes with growing older. The first line of the stanza, "the wars," is a reference to the violence and conflict that we experience as we grow older. The poet is using this line to describe the loss of innocence that comes with experiencing the harsh realities of the world.

The second line of the stanza, "the months of pain," is a reference to the physical and emotional pain that we experience as we grow older. This line is a beautiful representation of the loss of innocence that comes with experiencing pain and suffering. The third line of the stanza, "gradually," is a reference to the slow and gradual loss of innocence that comes with growing older. The poet is using this line to describe the gradual process of losing our innocence as we experience the harsh realities of the world.

The final line of the poem, "I remember," is a reference to the poet's memories of his childhood innocence. The poet is using this line to show that even though he has lost his innocence, he still remembers the beauty and wonder of childhood. This line is a beautiful representation of the power of memory and the importance of holding onto our memories of innocence.

The language of the poem is simple and beautiful. The poet uses simple words and phrases to convey complex ideas. The use of metaphors and imagery is particularly effective in conveying the themes of the poem. The use of the metaphor of amber beads to describe the beauty of childhood is particularly effective. The use of the phrase "up to my neck" to describe the poet's immersion in childhood is also very effective.

The structure of the poem is also effective in conveying the themes of the poem. The use of two stanzas, each with four lines, is a beautiful representation of the contrast between childhood innocence and the loss of that innocence. The use of free verse allows the poet to focus on the meaning of the words rather than the structure of the poem.

In conclusion, The Innocence by Robert Creeley is a beautiful poem that explores the themes of childhood innocence and the loss of that innocence as we grow older. The simple language and structure of the poem are particularly effective in conveying the themes of the poem. The use of metaphors and imagery is also very effective in conveying the beauty and wonder of childhood and the harsh realities of the world. This poem is a beautiful representation of the power of memory and the importance of holding onto our memories of innocence.

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