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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"Dimensions" by Robert Creeley is a poem that delves into the subjective nature of perception, understanding, and the inherent violence of thought and interaction. Through a series of numbered sections, Creeley explores the fluidity of self-perception, the construction of understanding, and the impact of our internal dialogues and judgments on our view of others and the world. This exploration is carried out with Creeley's characteristic concision and depth, employing vivid imagery and metaphor to probe the complexities of human consciousness. 1. The first section begins with a meditation on the diminution of space and self, with "Little places as size of one hand, shrink / to one finger as tall as, I am / sitting down even smaller." This imagery of shrinking physical space serves as a metaphor for the reduction of one's sense of self or place in the world. The speaker's identification with diminishing sizes—first a hand, then a finger, and finally sitting down even smaller—reflects a profound introspection and perhaps a feeling of insignificance or introspective withdrawal from the larger world. 2. The second section shifts the focus to the concept of understanding, questioning its nature and how it is constructed within the mind. The lines "Think if understanding is what you had thought of it, in it you think a picture comes and / goes, reflected there large taces foat but / no harm comes to the sleeping princess ever" suggest that understanding is not static but dynamic, with thoughts and images continually emerging and dissipating. The reference to "large taces foat" (likely a typographical play on "faces float") and a "sleeping princess" evokes the realm of fairy tales and dreams, where understanding and narrative are fluid. This section posits that within the realm of thought and understanding, narratives can be benign, leaving the "sleeping princess" untouched by harm, reflecting perhaps on the innocence or vulnerability of our internal worlds. 3. The final section offers a stark contrast to the preceding ones, with a declaration of aggression and control: "My voice is a foot. My head is / a foot. I club people in / my mind, I push them this way, that / way, from the little way / I see them the length, / for fear of being hurt they fall." Here, Creeley uses the metaphor of physical violence to describe the act of mental judgment and manipulation. The speaker admits to using their voice and thoughts as weapons to control and dominate others in their mind, driven by a fear of being hurt. This section underscores the potential for internal violence in human thought processes, revealing how perceptions and fears can lead to a figurative lashing out against others. "Dimensions" as a whole examines the vast landscapes of the human mind, from the shrinking sense of self and the ephemeral nature of understanding to the aggressive defense mechanisms triggered by fear and vulnerability. Creeley masterfully navigates these themes, using each section to peel back layers of the human psyche, revealing the complexity of our inner dimensions. The poem invites readers to reflect on their own perceptions, understandings, and the ways in which they navigate the internal and external worlds. Through its succinct and potent verses, "Dimensions" offers a profound commentary on the nature of self-awareness, the construction of thought, and the inherent contradictions of the human condition.
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