Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Credo" is a deeply introspective meditation on belief, human resilience, and the complexity of existence. Through a series of fragmented and seemingly contradictory reflections, Creeley delves into the nature of belief—its uncertainties, its comforts, and its power to sustain individuals even in times of confusion and disarray. The title "Credo," which means "I believe" in Latin, aptly frames the poem as a series of personal affirmations and doubts, capturing the speaker';s ongoing struggle to make sense of the world and their place in it.

The poem opens with "Creo que si . . . / I believe it will rain tomorrow . . ." These opening lines immediately establish a tone of uncertainty and prediction. The use of Spanish ("Creo que si") followed by the English translation suggests a duality or a blending of perspectives, highlighting the ambiguity and shifting nature of belief. The statement "I believe it will rain tomorrow" is mundane, expressing a common prediction about the weather, yet it sets the stage for the exploration of more profound beliefs. This juxtaposition between the ordinary and the existential underscores the complexity of what it means to "believe."

The line "I believe the son of a bitch is going into the river . . ." introduces a more intense, almost confrontational tone. The sudden shift from a neutral weather prediction to an emotionally charged statement conveys the volatility of belief—how it can encompass both mundane expectations and visceral, charged emotions. This line adds a sense of tension and unpredictability to the poem, suggesting that belief is not always rational or calm; it can be filled with frustration, anger, or resolve.

"I believe / All men are created equal" invokes the language of the American Declaration of Independence, tying the personal act of belief to larger, collective ideals. The phrase "By your leave a leafy shelter / over the exposed person" introduces a vivid image of protection and vulnerability. The "leafy shelter" suggests a natural form of refuge, emphasizing the need for security amidst exposure. This line can be seen as a metaphor for belief itself—something that provides comfort and shelter in the face of the uncertainties and harsh realities of life.

The phrase "I’m a believer / creature of habit but without / out there a void of pattern" reflects the speaker’s reliance on routine and the comfort of belief. The "creature of habit" suggests a dependency on familiar structures, while the mention of a "void of pattern" indicates a fear of chaos and disorder. This duality captures the tension between wanting stability and recognizing the inherent unpredictability of existence. The repetition of "older older / the broken pieces no longer salvageable bits / but incommensurate chips" conveys a sense of aging and the fragmentation of experience. The use of "incommensurate chips" suggests that the pieces of one';s past no longer fit together, highlighting the difficulty of reconciling different parts of one’s life as time passes.

"Yet must get it back together" expresses a determination to find coherence despite the fragmentation. This line emphasizes resilience and the need to rebuild, even when faced with the seemingly impossible task of piecing together the disparate elements of one';s life. It reflects a stubborn belief in the possibility of finding meaning, even amidst chaos.

"In God we trust / emptiness privilege will not not perish / perish from this earth—" juxtaposes the familiar phrase from U.S. currency with a more ambiguous statement about privilege and emptiness. The repetition of "not not perish" suggests both a denial and an affirmation, emphasizing the paradoxical nature of belief. It points to the enduring presence of certain concepts, such as privilege or emptiness, and the difficulty of imagining a world without them. This line reflects the complexity of faith—both in divine power and in human systems—and the contradictions inherent in trying to reconcile belief with the realities of the world.

"In particular echo of inside / pushes at edges all these years / collapse in slow motion" evokes a sense of internal pressure and the passage of time. The "echo of inside" suggests an internal voice or longing that has been present for many years, continually pushing against the limits of the speaker';s understanding. The imagery of "collapse in slow motion" conveys a sense of inevitability and gradual decline, emphasizing the slow unraveling of certainty and the difficulty of maintaining belief over time.

The lines "The will to believe, the will to be good, / the will to want a way out—" introduce a series of affirmations that capture the speaker';s aspirations. The repetition of "the will to" underscores the effort required to maintain belief, to strive for goodness, and to seek a path forward. These lines suggest that belief is not passive but requires active engagement and determination, even in the face of doubt or adversity.

"Humanness, like you, man. Us—pun for once beyond / reflective mirror of brightening prospect?" reflects on the shared human experience, emphasizing a sense of solidarity and connection. The phrase "reflective mirror of brightening prospect" suggests an idealized vision of the future, one that may be unattainable or illusory. The reference to "pun" implies a play on words, suggesting that human experience is filled with ambiguities and double meanings. This line highlights the complexity of understanding oneself and others, as well as the difficulty of finding hope amidst uncertainty.

"I believe what it was was a hope it could be / somehow what it was and would so continue" captures a longing for continuity and stability. The repetition of "what it was" emphasizes a desire to hold onto the past, to preserve something meaningful in a world that is constantly changing. This line reflects the struggle to reconcile past hopes with present realities, and the difficulty of maintaining belief in the face of change.

"A plank to walk out on, fair enough. / Jump! said the pirate" introduces an image of risk and challenge. The "plank" suggests a precarious situation, and the command to "Jump!" evokes a sense of confrontation with fear. This imagery conveys the idea that belief requires a leap of faith, a willingness to face uncertainty and take risks, even when the outcome is unknown.

The closing lines, "Here, as opposed to there, even in confusions / there seems still a comfort, still a faith. / I’d as lief not leave, not go away, not not believe. / I believe in belief . . . / All said, whatever I can think of / comes from there, goes there. / As it gets now impossible to say, it’s your hand I hold to, / still your hand," convey a sense of longing for stability and connection. The distinction between "here" and "there" suggests a contrast between different states of being—perhaps between certainty and confusion, presence and absence. Despite the confusions, there remains "still a comfort, still a faith," emphasizing the resilience of belief even in times of doubt. The repetition of "not not believe" underscores the speaker';s refusal to give up on belief, despite the challenges. The final lines convey a sense of intimacy and reliance on another person, suggesting that belief is ultimately grounded in relationships and human connection.

"Credo" by Robert Creeley is a complex and introspective exploration of belief, resilience, and the human condition. Through fragmented imagery, philosophical reflections, and moments of vulnerability, Creeley captures the struggle to maintain belief in a world that is often confusing and unpredictable. The poem emphasizes the effort required to hold onto hope, the importance of connection, and the value of being present, even when certainty seems impossible. Ultimately, "Credo" is a testament to the enduring power of belief, the will to persist, and the significance of human relationships in providing comfort and meaning.

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