Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Somewhere" by Robert Creeley is a mysterious and evocative poem that traverses themes of discovery, the interplay between external appearance and internal experience, and the transformative power of perspective. Through the imagery of a house encountered at dusk, Creeley delves into the notions of self-awareness, the unseen depths of one's being, and the ambiguous boundary between the outer world and the inner self.

The poem begins with the image of "The galloping collection of boards / are the house which I afforded," immediately presenting the house not just as a physical structure but as a dynamic, almost living entity. The choice of the word "galloping" infuses the house with motion and life, suggesting that what might seem inanimate can possess its own energy and story. The speaker's ability to "afford" to walk into this house as night falls hints at a moment of opportunity or decision, where the threshold of the house symbolizes the boundary between known and unknown, light and darkness.

The transition from the external world into the interior darkness of the house is marked by a sense of autonomous action: "the candle / lit of its own free will." This line imbues the scene with a magical or mystical quality, where elements within the house seem to respond to the presence of the speaker, suggesting that the house serves as a metaphor for the deeper, perhaps subconscious, aspects of the self that come to light only when one ventures inward.

The mention of the attic groaning and the stairs leading "up into the air" introduces a sense of unease and anticipation. The attic, often associated with forgotten or hidden things, and the act of ascending the stairs into an undefined "air," further emphasize the exploration of the self and the uncovering of layers or aspects of one's identity that are typically concealed.

Creeley's observation from the outside—"From outside, it must have seemed / a wonder that it was / the inside he as me saw / in the dark there"—plays with the perspectives of observer and observed, and the fluidity of identity ("he as me"). This reflection on how the inner experience might appear to an external observer underscores the poem's meditation on the distinction between how we perceive ourselves and how we are perceived by others. It also touches on the profound experience of encountering oneself in solitude and introspection, where the external world fades away, and one is left with the essence of their being.

"Somewhere" is a contemplative piece that invites readers to consider the journeys we undertake within ourselves, the spaces—both literal and metaphorical—that we explore in search of understanding, and the complex relationship between our outer lives and inner worlds. Through the metaphor of the house and the night, Creeley crafts a narrative that is both a literal exploration and a symbolic journey into the self, offering a nuanced reflection on the nature of identity, perception, and the depths of human experience.

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