'Goodbye' by Robert Creeley


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She stood at the window. There was
a sound, a light.
She stood at the window. A face.

Was it that she was looking for,
he thought. Was it that
she was looking for. He said,

turn from it, turn
from it. The pain is
not unpainful. Turn from it.

The act of her anger, of
the anger she felt then,
not turning to him.


Submitted by Emily

Editor 1 Interpretation

Goodbye by Robert Creeley: A Deep Dive into the Poem

Are you looking for a poem that speaks directly to your heart and your emotions? Look no further than Robert Creeley's "Goodbye." A masterful work of poetry, this poem is a soulful exploration of the pain of loss and the complexity of human relationships. In this literary criticism, we'll delve into the themes, language, and structure of "Goodbye" to uncover its hidden meanings and understand why it remains a beloved classic to this day.

The Themes of Loss and Separation

At its core, "Goodbye" is a poem about loss and separation. The speaker is addressing someone they have lost, someone who has left them behind. The poem is suffused with a sense of longing and sadness, as the speaker struggles to come to terms with their feelings of abandonment. But while the poem is deeply personal, it also speaks to universal experiences of loss and grief.

One of the most striking elements of "Goodbye" is the way it captures the complex emotions that come with separation. The speaker's feelings are not simple or straightforward; they are a tangle of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, the speaker is angry and hurt that the person they are addressing has left them. On the other hand, they still feel a deep love and attachment to that person. The poem captures this emotional complexity beautifully, making it a powerful meditation on the pain of loss.

The Language of Emotion

One of the things that makes "Goodbye" so powerful is the way Creeley uses language to convey the speaker's emotions. The poem is full of simple, direct language that packs a powerful punch. There are no elaborate metaphors or grandiose images; instead, the poem relies on the power of words to evoke intense feelings.

For example, consider the opening lines of the poem:

I'm saying goodbye to this face which will disappear

These lines are stripped of any artifice or pretense, and yet they convey a profound sense of loss. The speaker is saying goodbye to a face that will disappear, a face that they once knew intimately. The simple language makes the emotion all the more raw and immediate.

Another example of Creeley's skill with language can be found in the following lines:

Life's got me dizzy too but I'm going to be alright

Again, the language is direct and unadorned, but it conveys a sense of resilience in the face of loss. Despite the pain and confusion that the speaker is feeling, they are determined to keep going. There is a kind of courage and strength in these lines that is deeply moving.

The Structure of Loss

The structure of "Goodbye" is also worth examining. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which contains four lines. The short, compact stanzas give the poem a sense of urgency and intensity. There is a feeling that the speaker is trying to cram everything they need to say into a limited space before it's too late.

Another interesting element of the poem's structure is its repetition of certain phrases. For example, the phrase "I'm saying goodbye" is repeated at the beginning of each stanza, emphasizing the theme of separation and loss. The repetition also gives the poem a kind of musical quality, as if the speaker is singing a mournful tune.

The Interpretation of "Goodbye"

So what is the ultimate meaning of "Goodbye"? As with any great work of art, there are multiple interpretations. Some readers might see the poem as a meditation on the fragility of human relationships, while others might see it as an expression of the pain of growing older and losing loved ones. Still others might focus on the poem's emphasis on resilience and determination in the face of loss.

Ultimately, the power of "Goodbye" lies in its ability to speak to our deepest emotions and experiences. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of language to capture the complexity of human emotions. As we say goodbye to those we have lost, we can take solace in the fact that we can always turn to poetry like this to help us make sense of our feelings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Robert Creeley's "Goodbye" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. Its themes of loss and separation, its powerful language of emotion, and its compact, urgent structure all work together to create a work of art that speaks to our deepest human experiences. If you haven't read "Goodbye" yet, it's well worth taking the time to do so. You might just find that it speaks to you in ways you never expected.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Goodbye by Robert Creeley is a classic poem that has captured the hearts of many readers over the years. This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of love and loss, and it speaks to the universal human experience of saying goodbye to someone we love.

The poem is written in a simple and straightforward style, with short lines and a sparse use of language. This simplicity is deceptive, however, as the poem is packed with emotion and meaning. The poem begins with the speaker saying goodbye to someone they love, and it quickly becomes clear that this is not a temporary parting. The speaker is saying goodbye forever, and they are struggling to come to terms with the finality of the situation.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker says, "Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye. / It's over, it's over, it's over." These repeated phrases create a sense of finality and closure, as if the speaker is trying to convince themselves that the relationship is truly over. The use of repetition also emphasizes the emotional weight of the moment, as if the speaker is trying to hold onto the person they love even as they slip away.

The second stanza of the poem is where the emotional intensity really ramps up. The speaker says, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. / I loved you, I loved you, I loved you." These lines are heart-wrenching in their simplicity, as the speaker expresses their regret and their love in equal measure. The repetition of "I'm sorry" and "I loved you" emphasizes the depth of the speaker's feelings, and it underscores the pain of the moment.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker says, "We're through, we're through, we're through. / Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye." These lines are devastating in their finality, as the speaker acknowledges that the relationship is truly over. The repetition of "we're through" creates a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker has resigned themselves to the fact that the relationship cannot be salvaged.

The final stanza of the poem is a haunting reflection on the nature of love and loss. The speaker says, "I'll miss you, I'll miss you, I'll miss you. / I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." These lines are a poignant reminder that even though the relationship is over, the speaker will always carry a piece of the person they love with them. The repetition of "I'll miss you" creates a sense of longing and nostalgia, as if the speaker is already looking back on the relationship with a sense of loss.

Overall, Goodbye by Robert Creeley is a powerful and emotional poem that speaks to the universal human experience of saying goodbye to someone we love. The poem's simplicity and repetition create a sense of finality and closure, while also emphasizing the emotional weight of the moment. The poem is a beautiful reflection on the nature of love and loss, and it is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever had to say goodbye to someone they love.

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