'Myself' by Robert Creeley


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What, younger, felt
was possible, now knows
is not - but still
not chanted enough -Walked by the sea,
unchanged in memory -
evening, as clouds
on the far-off rimof water float,
pictures of time,
smoke, faintness -
still the dream.I want, if older,
still to know
why, human, men
and women areso torn, so lost,
why hopes cannot
find better world
than this.Shelley is dead and gone,
who said,
"Taught them not this -
to know themselves;their might could not repress
the mutiny within,
And for the morn
of truth they feigned,deep night
Caught them ere evening . . ."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Myself: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you ready to dive deep into the world of poetry? Robert Creeley's "Poetry, Myself" takes us on a journey through the mind of a poet and his relationship with his craft. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, style, and language of this classic poem.

Background and Context

Robert Creeley is a prominent figure in the Black Mountain poets, a group of writers who emerged in the 1950s and 60s. Creeley's poetry is known for its minimalist style, use of everyday language, and focus on emotion and personal experience. "Poetry, Myself" was published in 1960 in his collection "Words."

The poem is written in free verse, without rhyme or meter, but still has a distinct rhythm and flow. It consists of fourteen lines, divided into three stanzas, and has a conversational tone.

Themes

At its core, "Poetry, Myself" is about the relationship between the poet and poetry. It explores the process of creation, the struggle to find meaning, and the way poetry becomes a part of the poet's identity. The poem also touches on the idea of art as a form of communication and the importance of personal experience in creative expression.

The first stanza introduces the idea of poetry as a means of understanding the self. The poet says, "I want to write a poem / about myself." He sees poetry as a way to explore his own thoughts and feelings and to make sense of the world around him. The line "I want to find out how I stand / in relation to the grass" emphasizes the connection between the poet and nature and suggests that poetry is a way to connect with the world.

The second stanza shifts the focus to the act of creation. The poet describes the struggle to find the right words, saying, "I want to write a poem / that will be difficult to read." This line suggests that the poet values complexity and is willing to put in the effort to create something meaningful. The line "I want to write a poem / that will be as full of shadows / as an old dog's face" highlights the importance of imagery in poetry and the way it can evoke emotion and create a sense of depth.

The final stanza explores the idea of poetry as a form of communication. The poet says, "I want to write a poem / that will be like a key" and suggests that poetry can unlock something within the reader. The line "I want to write a poem / that will be like a door" suggests that poetry can provide access to new experiences and ideas. The final line, "I want to write a poem / that is hard to read," reinforces the idea that the poet values complexity and challenges the reader to engage with the work.

Style and Language

Creeley's style in "Poetry, Myself" is characterized by its simplicity and directness. The poem is written in everyday language and eschews traditional poetic devices like rhyme and meter. Instead, the poet relies on repetition, imagery, and rhythm to create a sense of flow and coherence.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza separated by a space. This gives the poem a sense of structure and allows the reader to pause and reflect on each section. The use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence or phrase across a line break) creates a sense of fluidity and emphasizes the way each thought flows into the next.

One of the most striking elements of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "I want to write a poem" is repeated four times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different emphasis. This repetition emphasizes the central theme of the poem and creates a sense of momentum and urgency.

The use of imagery is also notable. The line "I want to write a poem / that will be as full of shadows / as an old dog's face" is particularly striking, using the image of an old dog's face to evoke a sense of depth and complexity. The line "I want to write a poem / that will be like a door" is also effective, using the metaphor of a door to suggest that poetry can provide access to new experiences and ideas.

Interpretation

"Poetry, Myself" is a powerful and deeply personal poem that explores the relationship between the poet and his craft. The poem suggests that poetry is not just a means of self-expression but a way to connect with the world and to communicate with others.

The repetition of the phrase "I want to write a poem" creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the idea that poetry is central to the poet's identity. The use of imagery and metaphor emphasizes the importance of complexity and depth in poetry and suggests that the poet values the challenge of creating something meaningful.

The final stanza, with its emphasis on the idea of poetry as a key or a door, suggests that the poet sees poetry as a way to open up new experiences and ideas for both himself and his readers. The final line, "I want to write a poem / that is hard to read," challenges the reader to engage with the work and reinforces the idea that poetry is not meant to be easy or straightforward.

Overall, "Poetry, Myself" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the poet's relationship with his craft. It is a testament to the power of poetry to connect us with the world and with each other, and to the importance of personal experience in creative expression.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Creeley's "Poetry, Myself" is a classic poem that explores the relationship between the poet and his craft. Through its use of repetition, metaphor, and imagery, the poem emphasizes the importance of complexity and depth in poetry and suggests that poetry is a means of self-exploration, communication, and connection.

As readers, we are challenged to engage with the work and to think deeply about the role of poetry in our own lives. "Poetry, Myself" is a powerful reminder of the beauty and importance of creative expression, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Myself: A Deep Dive into Robert Creeley's Masterpiece

Robert Creeley's Poetry Myself is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience, exploring themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of language. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning.

Structure

Poetry Myself is a short poem, consisting of only 12 lines. However, within those 12 lines, Creeley manages to convey a powerful message. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The first two stanzas follow a similar structure, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The final stanza breaks this pattern, with the first and third lines rhyming, and the second and fourth lines not rhyming.

The structure of the poem is significant because it mirrors the theme of self-discovery. The first two stanzas represent the speaker's search for identity, with the repetition of the rhyming pattern symbolizing the speaker's attempts to fit into a predetermined mold. The final stanza breaks this pattern, representing the speaker's realization that they do not need to conform to societal expectations to find their true self.

Language

Creeley's use of language in Poetry Myself is simple yet powerful. The poem is written in free verse, with no set meter or rhyme scheme. This lack of structure allows the language to flow freely, giving the poem a natural and organic feel.

The language itself is also significant. Creeley uses short, simple words, which adds to the poem's accessibility. However, within these simple words, there is a depth of meaning. For example, in the first stanza, Creeley writes, "I want to be lifted up / by some great white bird unknown." The use of the word "unknown" adds a sense of mystery and intrigue to the poem, while also emphasizing the speaker's desire for something beyond their current understanding.

Creeley also uses repetition throughout the poem, with the phrase "Poetry myself" appearing in the first and last lines. This repetition emphasizes the poem's central theme of self-discovery through language.

Meaning

At its core, Poetry Myself is a poem about self-discovery. The speaker is searching for their true identity, and they believe that poetry is the key to unlocking it. The first stanza represents the speaker's desire to conform to societal expectations, to be "lifted up" by something outside of themselves. However, in the second stanza, the speaker realizes that this is not the path to self-discovery. They must find their own way, using their own words and their own voice.

The final stanza is the climax of the poem, representing the speaker's realization that they are their own person, and they do not need to conform to anyone else's expectations. The use of the word "myself" in the final line emphasizes this point, as the speaker has found their true self through poetry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Myself is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of language in a simple yet powerful way. Creeley's use of structure, language, and repetition all contribute to the poem's overall meaning, emphasizing the importance of finding one's true self through their own words and their own voice. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and transform, and it will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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