Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Trees," Robert Creeley weaves together themes of isolation, frustration, and self-reflection, using conversational language and introspective questioning to capture the inner turmoil and complexities of the poetic experience. The poem explores the challenges of communication, the yearning for connection, and the existential weight that accompanies the creative process. Through seemingly simple language, Creeley delves into the psyche of a poet, presenting both a personal struggle and a universal contemplation on the nature of art and isolation.

The opening line, "What shall I do with my friends, / if they won’t answer my letters—," immediately establishes a tone of uncertainty and vulnerability. The speaker grapples with the basic human need for connection and validation, feeling a sense of abandonment or neglect when friends fail to respond. The question underscores a deeper insecurity, hinting at the speaker's fear of irrelevance or misunderstanding. This line speaks to the fragile nature of friendships and the anxiety that often accompanies attempts to communicate one's thoughts and feelings, especially for someone in a reflective, artistic field like poetry.

Creeley’s next lines, "or if I make a joke, would it be better / not to send it to them?" further amplify the speaker's self-doubt and hesitation. The notion of withholding humor or lightness reflects the speaker's fear of miscommunication or rejection. This hesitation reveals a tension between expression and restraint, as if the speaker is unsure whether their thoughts or words will be welcomed or misinterpreted. By questioning the act of sharing a joke, Creeley portrays the poet’s often fraught relationship with language and social interaction, where even the simplest expressions become subjects of self-scrutiny.

The second stanza shifts the tone slightly, offering an image of the speaker "clutching a daffodil" and singing "of what things I could, / I would do better if I could." This image evokes a sense of innocence and longing, with the daffodil symbolizing hope, renewal, or a delicate beauty. Yet, the act of "singing" about aspirations that feel out of reach underscores a deep frustration. The speaker yearns to "do better," to transcend limitations, but is haunted by a sense of inadequacy. The self-awareness here is poignant; Creeley’s speaker acknowledges both the desire to improve and the futility of such aspirations, as if caught in an endless cycle of striving and self-criticism.

In the third stanza, the poem takes a more surreal turn: "Tonight when the goddess invokes me / with her back to me, would it do / to kick her too?" The image of a goddess—a symbol of divine inspiration or muse—turning her back on the speaker reflects a profound sense of alienation. The speaker’s consideration of "kicking" the goddess suggests a mix of frustration, defiance, and desperation. This act would be both a rejection of and a plea for validation, symbolizing the poet’s often tumultuous relationship with inspiration and the creative process. The line also hints at a desire to be recognized and respected by something greater, a longing for affirmation from the very source of inspiration.

The speaker’s subsequent question—"Or should I tell it to you, / so that she will respect me"—suggests that the speaker seeks to mediate their frustration through another, perhaps a friend or confidant. This question reflects the poet’s desire for understanding, a hope that by sharing their thoughts with someone else, they might regain the respect or acknowledgment they feel they have lost. This moment captures the dual nature of the poet’s struggle: the simultaneous need for solitary introspection and a yearning for connection, validation, and empathy from others.

The poem’s final stanza presents a darker, more introspective conclusion: "I think: poets live in a well, / from whence the screams issue, / a fearsome hole it is too, / a very hell." Here, Creeley uses the imagery of a well to symbolize the poet's isolation and the depth of their introspective journey. The "well" serves as a metaphor for the poet’s mind or soul, a place of solitude that amplifies their inner voices and struggles. The "screams" issuing from this well suggest the poet’s anguish, frustration, and sense of entrapment, as if their creative spirit is both a source of expression and a prison.

The comparison of the well to "a very hell" underscores the intense suffering that can accompany the creative process. For Creeley, the poet’s life is marked by both beauty and pain, as the act of creating is bound to self-doubt, loneliness, and existential questioning. This image resonates with the myth of the poet as a tormented figure, someone who delves into their own depths to produce art but is often haunted by what they find. Creeley’s choice of words here reflects the isolation and existential weight that the poet bears, as well as the relentless introspection that both fuels and torments them.

In "Trees," Creeley captures the delicate balance between the poet's need for solitude and their longing for connection. The poem’s conversational tone and simple language belie its depth, as Creeley delves into the complex emotions that accompany the act of creating. Through the speaker’s questions and introspections, "Trees" explores the fears, frustrations, and vulnerabilities that define the poet’s life, ultimately portraying it as both a blessing and a burden. Creeley’s work invites readers to empathize with the poet’s plight, recognizing that the search for understanding and expression is as challenging as it is essential.

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