Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Poem for D.H. Lawrence" by Robert Creeley explores themes of self-awareness, isolation, and existential contemplation, resonating with the introspective and often solitary nature of D.H. Lawrence's own work. Through a reflective and recursive narrative, Creeley delves into the complexities of the self's relationship with its own consciousness and its perception by others. The poem is a meditation on identity, the act of creation, and the inherent loneliness of the human condition.

The opening lines, "I would begin by explaining that by reason of being I am and no other," establish a foundational assertion of existence and individuality. This declaration of selfhood sets the tone for the poem's exploration of the self's inherent isolation and uniqueness. Creeley emphasizes the intrinsic value and reality of being, independent of external validation or understanding.

The poem's repetition of "Always the self returns to self-consciousness," underscores the inevitability of introspection and the cyclical nature of self-reflection. The imagery of "the figure drawn by the window by its own hand" suggests the creative act as a means of self-definition, while also highlighting the solitude that often accompanies artistic expression. The figure, both creator and creation, stands as a symbol of the self's attempt to manifest its essence, only to confront its own isolation "alone and unwanted by others."

Creeley's contemplation of the self's existence "in the beginning" without "consciousness of self or figure or evening" posits a primordial state of being devoid of self-awareness and external perception. This notion of an original, unencumbered selfhood contrasts with the complexity and burden of consciousness, which introduces the awareness of isolation and the desire for connection.

The poem grapples with the paradox of change and continuity within the self, acknowledging that "how it is changed is not known but felt." This distinction between feeling and knowing captures the elusive nature of personal transformation and the limits of self-understanding. The self's attempt to reconcile its enduring essence with the inevitable changes wrought by experience becomes a central theme.

Creeley's meditation on memory and materiality, represented by the recurring image of the figure by the window, explores the tension between tangible reality and its ephemeral origins. The comparison of the figure to "the thing like money" suggests a critique of the commodification of identity and experience, questioning the value and authenticity of material representations of the self.

The poem concludes by reaffirming the self's inescapable return to its solitary reflection "in the evening, the darkness, alone and unwanted by others." This closing image encapsulates the poem's exploration of the self's existential solitude, its creative impulses, and its search for meaning within the confines of its own consciousness.

"Poem for D.H. Lawrence" is a profound reflection on the nature of being, the creative process, and the solitude of the self. Through its introspective narrative and recursive structure, Creeley offers a nuanced exploration of identity, consciousness, and the existential dilemmas that define the human experience, echoing themes present in Lawrence's own literary explorations.

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