Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Woman" by Robert Creeley is a complex and deeply introspective poem that navigates the terrain of desire, memory, and the elusive nature of intimate connections. Through vivid, sometimes startling imagery, Creeley delves into the physical and emotional residues of a relationship, exploring how the presence of another can leave an indelible mark on one's psyche and body. The poem is characterized by its raw honesty and the way it captures the intensity of longing and the fragmented nature of memory.

The opening lines, "I have never clearly given to you the associations / you have for me," establish a sense of unresolved communication between the speaker and the woman. This admission sets the tone for a meditation on the complex layers of meaning and emotion that the woman represents to the speaker, hinting at the depth of unarticulated feelings and thoughts that shape their connection.

Creeley's description of the woman's physicality, particularly the focus on "tits, not breasts," emphasizes a raw, unfiltered perception of desire. This choice of words conveys a sense of urgency and a visceral response to the woman's body, contrasting with more conventional or romanticized descriptions of physical attraction. The speaker's reflection on whether the flesh is "mine" points to a deep sense of intimacy and possession, blurring the lines between self and other.

The imagery of the woman walking "such a shortness of intent strides" and her "height is so low" suggests a familiarity with her movements and presence, yet there remains a distance or abstraction in how she is perceived. The speaker's physical interaction with the woman, feeling "the weight of yours there," further explores the tactile dimensions of their relationship, capturing the intense physical connection and the sense of mutual possession.

The poem then transitions into a more surreal depiction of their coupling, where they "lie against / no surface, have lifted as you again grow small against myself, into / the air." This imagery evokes a sense of transcendence and dislocation, where the act of coming together elevates them beyond the confines of the physical world, yet also highlights the transient and fleeting nature of their connection.

Creeley introduces elements of sound and silence as additional layers of the woman's presence, with the "quiet, a soughing silence" and the sudden wet touch of her mouth on the speaker. These moments of contact and communication, though nonverbal, are charged with emotion and significance, underscoring the profound impact of the woman's presence on the speaker.

The conclusion of the poem, with the speaker "roar-ing unheard" and left with "wetness, pools of it," captures the aftermath of the intense encounter, marked by a sense of loss, longing, and the physical remnants of their connection. The use of "Onanistic" suggests a turn inward, a solitary reflection on what remains when the object of desire is absent, highlighting the self-contained nature of the speaker's longing and the indelible impact of the woman's presence.

"The Woman" is a powerful exploration of desire, memory, and the ineffable nature of intimate connections. Through its vivid imagery and emotional depth, Creeley captures the complex interplay between physicality, memory, and longing, offering a raw and nuanced portrayal of the traces left by a significant other.

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