Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"They Say" by Robert Creeley is a brief yet evocative poem that weaves together elements of folklore, mystery, and the passage of time through a series of vivid, enigmatic images. In its concise form, the poem explores themes of transformation, disappearance, and the unknown, capturing the essence of storytelling and the way stories evolve and take on lives of their own within the collective imagination.

The opening lines, "Up and down what falls / goes slower and slower combing her hair," introduce a sense of gradual movement and transformation. The imagery of falling, combined with the act of combing hair, evokes a picture of calm amidst change, suggesting a connection between personal rituals and the inexorable passage of time. This juxtaposition creates a dreamlike quality, setting the stage for the introduction of the poem's central figure.

"She is the lovely stranger who married the forest ranger, the duck and the dog, and never was seen again," Creeley introduces a character whose story is steeped in the fantastic and the surreal. This line reads like a snippet from a fairy tale or folklore, where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide. The mention of her marriages to a forest ranger, a duck, and a dog further blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, invoking a world where such unions are possible and hinting at the transformative power of love and connection across the boundaries of the natural world.

The phrase "and never was seen again" concludes the poem on a note of mystery and finality. This classic trope of disappearance invites speculation and imagination, leaving the reader to ponder the fate of the "lovely stranger" and the nature of her existence. Did she transcend the material world, become one with the forest, or simply step out of the narrative frame into a realm beyond our understanding? The ambiguity of her fate adds depth to the poem's exploration of themes related to the ephemeral nature of life, the fluidity of identity, and the enduring allure of the mysterious.

"They Say" captures the power of narrative and myth to evoke wonder, curiosity, and contemplation. Through its compact structure and rich imagery, Creeley's poem encourages readers to engage with the layers of meaning contained within tales passed down through generations or whispered from one person to another. It reflects on the human desire to make sense of the inexplicable and to find beauty and significance in the stories we tell about ourselves and the world around us.

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