Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Going to Bed" by Robert Creeley is a poem that delves into the psychological and existential nuances of a seemingly mundane act, transforming it into a moment ripe with introspection and symbolic resonance. Through his vivid imagery and contemplative tone, Creeley explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the human condition, all within the framework of preparing for sleep.

The opening lines introduce "that dim shattering character of nerves which creates faces in the dark," immediately setting a tone of unease and introspection. This phrase captures the heightened state of awareness and the play of imagination that can occur in moments of solitude and darkness, where the mind, untethered from the distractions of daylight, confronts itself. The reference to "faces in the dark" suggests the emergence of latent fears, desires, or memories that populate our subconscious, making the act of going to bed a journey into the inner self.

Creeley's mention of "the heaven and hell as a form of corporate existence" further complicates this journey, suggesting that the dichotomies of good and evil, pleasure and pain, are not just external landscapes but are woven into the fabric of our being. This statement hints at the complex nature of human consciousness, where opposing forces coexist and define our experience of the world.

The poem then shifts to a more physical description of the act of going to bed, yet this description is imbued with a sense of struggle and displacement. The "viscous form of self-propulsion" that allows for movement, and the subsequent lurching "ghostwise" to the window, convey a sense of alienation from one's own body and actions. The image of falling through the window, only to close it for the cat, juxtaposes the surreal with the mundane, highlighting the dissonance between our internal experiences and the external world.

Following this flurry of activity, Creeley introduces "silence, silence," a pause that allows for a shift from the external to the internal. The hands finding "quiet" on the floor and the mouth going "lax" depict a surrender to stillness, a moment of release from the tensions and contradictions of existence.

The closing lines of the poem reflect a circular desire to return, "Oh! Look forward to get back." This longing for return, whether to a state of innocence, understanding, or simply to consciousness, underscores the perpetual human quest for meaning and coherence. The final contemplation, "Oh wisdom to find fault with what is after all a plan," suggests a resignation to the inherent order and disorder of life, acknowledging the futility of seeking absolute understanding or control.

"Going to Bed" is a poignant meditation on the thresholds of consciousness, the spaces between waking and sleeping, being and non-being. Through its rich imagery and philosophical undertones, the poem invites readers to contemplate the deeper currents that run beneath the surface of everyday actions, encouraging a reflection on the nature of self, the mysteries of existence, and the search for meaning in the cycle of day and night.

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