Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Wishes", Robert Creeley captures a moment of communal gathering and quiet reflection, using detailed imagery to create a sense of warmth, transience, and the interconnectedness of people within a shared space. The poem is set around a lunch scene, where family and friends gather, eat, and interact within a natural setting. Through careful observations of food, scenery, and the subtle dynamics between people, Creeley conveys a profound sense of presence, emphasizing the beauty of ordinary moments and the human tendency to find meaning and memory within them. The poem’s language is conversational yet imbued with a sense of wonder, as if the speaker is both part of the scene and an observer, keenly aware of the fleeting nature of the experience.

The poem opens with a description of “Lunch with its divers orders of sliced chicken going by on the lazy susan,” a simple yet vivid image that sets the scene with a sense of activity and shared enjoyment. The “lazy susan” serves as a focal point, revolving to bring different dishes—“sliced chicken… cucumber, the goat cheese, the remnants of the rice salad left from last night”—within reach of each participant. This rotating spread of food evokes a sense of abundance, comfort, and familiarity, suggesting a meal that is both communal and generous. The use of the phrase “divers orders” adds a touch of formality, as if elevating the everyday act of sharing food to something worth observing and savoring.

The description of the lunch scene continues with “All in a whirl the participants and their very young children eat, and drink, and watch for the familial move.” The “whirl” of people and food suggests a lively, almost chaotic energy, with both adults and children present and engaged in the meal. This line captures the joyful, messy nature of family gatherings, where multiple generations come together in a blend of motion and interaction. The phrase “the familial move” implies a shared understanding or unspoken rhythm within the group, as if each person is attuned to the subtle cues that define family dynamics. This sense of watching for familiar gestures or actions reflects the comfort and intimacy of the gathering, as well as the human tendency to find reassurance in familiar patterns.

Creeley expands the setting by describing the view “through the wall-to-wall glass and beyond to the oaks, the exhilarated grass, the fall-off to the marshy waters.” This image of the natural landscape provides a backdrop to the scene, enhancing the feeling of openness and connection to the outdoors. The “wall-to-wall glass” suggests a seamless transition between the interior space and the world outside, as if the gathering itself is part of the larger environment. The description of “exhilarated grass” personifies the landscape, suggesting vitality and movement, as if the natural world is as alive and vibrant as the people within the room. This interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces reinforces the sense of unity within the scene, where human and natural elements coexist harmoniously.

The phrase “the long-legged white birds spearing fish” adds a dynamic detail to the landscape, capturing a moment of action in the marshy waters beyond. These birds, likely herons or egrets, embody grace and precision, their movements contrasting with the casual, grounded actions of the people at the table. This image of the birds hunting reflects a primal, instinctive rhythm of nature, grounding the scene in the realities of survival and the natural cycle. By including this detail, Creeley suggests a deeper connection between the human gathering and the natural world, as if both are engaged in parallel acts of sustenance and continuity.

The rhetorical question, “Are we not well met here, factually nowhere ever known to us before, and will we not forever now remember this?” introduces a reflective tone, as the speaker pauses to consider the significance of the moment. The phrase “well met” implies a sense of serendipity or fortune, as if the gathering itself is meaningful simply by virtue of everyone’s presence. The setting, described as “factually nowhere ever known to us before,” emphasizes the uniqueness of the moment, a place that may be new or unfamiliar but is made meaningful by the people within it. The question “will we not forever now remember this?” captures a longing for permanence, a hope that this shared experience will be etched into memory despite its transitory nature. It underscores the human desire to preserve fleeting moments of connection and joy, even as they slip into the past.

In the next line, “One wonders, and hopes, loves, conjectures as to the lives of others,” Creeley shifts to a broader contemplation of human connection. This phrase suggests an empathy and curiosity about the lives of those present and, by extension, others beyond the immediate circle. The act of “wondering, hoping, loving, conjecturing” implies a recognition of the individuality and complexity of each person, acknowledging that everyone carries their own story, even within a shared moment. The mention of “all others, from other worlds still here and always everywhere about us” expands this empathy to a universal level, suggesting an awareness of humanity’s interconnectedness across time and space. This line reflects a sense of inclusivity, as if no person or experience is truly isolated, and everyone contributes to the larger tapestry of human existence.

The final lines, “none to be left out. No memory, no thought, less. Nothing forgot,” bring the poem to a close with a powerful affirmation of the value of memory and presence. The insistence that “none [are] to be left out” emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, as if each person, each moment, deserves to be remembered and valued. This line reinforces the idea that every individual is part of a larger collective experience, and that the memories formed within these moments are meaningful and enduring. The repetition of “no memory, no thought, less” suggests that every experience, however small, contributes to the whole, and that nothing should be dismissed or forgotten. This closing sentiment resonates as a tribute to the richness of human life, where even the most ordinary gatherings become treasured memories.

In "Wishes", Robert Creeley captures the essence of shared experience, the beauty of ordinary moments, and the desire to preserve fleeting connections. Through vivid descriptions of a family meal and reflections on memory and empathy, Creeley conveys a sense of warmth, inclusion, and appreciation for the present. The poem reminds readers of the importance of cherishing both the people around us and the seemingly mundane moments that, in hindsight, become some of life’s most meaningful experiences. In a world that often feels transient, "Wishes" is a gentle meditation on the value of being present, of observing, and of holding onto the simple, collective joy found in togetherness.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...