|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
"As Real as Thinking" by Robert Creeley offers a meditative exploration into the essence of perception, the nature of existence, and the interplay between thought and reality. The poem navigates through the abstract and the tangible, questioning the validity and impact of our thoughts, observations, and the forms they create in our understanding of the world. The opening line, "As REAL as thinking wonders created by the possibility— forms," introduces the central theme of the poem: the power of thought to conjure realities and the forms that emerge from the realm of possibility. Creeley plays with the notion that thinking itself, with its capacity to wonder and imagine, brings into being a variety of forms, or manifestations of thought, that are as real as the act of thinking itself. This idea is reinforced by the mention of a period at the end of a sentence, symbolizing both completion and inception, marking the end of one thought and the beginning of another, hence emphasizing the cyclical nature of thought and existence. The poem then delves into the philosophical debate of form versus activity, suggesting that no forms exist that are lesser than the activity of creation itself. This assertion challenges the traditional hierarchy that places tangible forms above the processes that create them, proposing instead that the act of creation—the dynamic, ongoing activity of thought and expression—is intrinsically valuable and real. Creeley then shifts the focus to the role of the observer, questioning whether all words, days, eyes, or happenings constitute events solely from the perspective of an observer. This inquiry touches on existential themes, pondering the nature of reality and whether it is defined by the presence of an observer. The poem suggests a dichotomy between the absence and presence of observers, "No one there. Everyone here," highlighting the subjective nature of experience and the communal aspect of reality as shared among those who perceive it. The imagery in the poem evolves to more concrete elements, such as "Small facts of eyes, hair blonde, face / looking like a fat painted board." These descriptions ground the abstract themes in physical characteristics, yet the comparison to a "fat painted board" introduces the idea of surface-level perception versus deeper understanding. The notion of opacity and the comparison to a mere reflection question the authenticity and depth of our perceptions, suggesting that what we see might only be a superficial representation of a more complex reality. Creeley's poem weaves together a tapestry of philosophical inquiries, using both abstract and tangible imagery to explore the boundaries between thought and reality, the observer and the observed, and the forms that bridge the gap between the two. "As Real as Thinking" challenges readers to consider the active role of thought in creating the world we perceive and to question the nature of reality as a construct of our collective and individual consciousness. The poem, with its contemplative tone and layered meanings, exemplifies Creeley's ability to distill complex ideas into concise, potent verse. Through its exploration of perception, existence, and the act of thinking, "As Real as Thinking" invites readers into a reflective space to ponder the ever-shifting boundaries between the real and the imagined, and the ways in which our thoughts shape and are shaped by the world around us.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PREJUDICE by ROBERT CREELEY PIECES OF CAKE by ROBERT CREELEY DEAD LEAVES by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON |
| |