Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"What's for Dinner" by Robert Creeley presents a stark, poignant exploration of loss, missed connections, and the finality of one’s actions. Through its concise and impactful narrative, the poem delves into themes of despair, isolation, and the human longing for closure or connection, even in the face of irrevocable choices.

The poem opens with an image of partial visibility and fragmentation: "Only from the back could I be seen clearly, merely the fragment into space hanging." This visual sets a tone of detachment and incompleteness, suggesting a disconnect between the individual's perception of themselves and the way they are perceived by others. The phrase "fragment into space hanging" evokes a sense of suspension, both physical and metaphorical, highlighting the poem's focus on moments of critical, perhaps existential, suspension.

John's decision to "jump on Tuesday" introduces a sudden, tragic action that underscores the themes of despair and irreversible choice. The mention of a scheduled date that the speaker misses due to being "late" adds a layer of missed opportunity and regret to the narrative, emphasizing the delicate, often fleeting nature of human connections and the profound consequences of their absence or failure.

The speaker's declaration, "Today my time come, I / am hung from this 7th story downtown window to say hello for the last time," brings the narrative to a poignant climax. This act of hanging from a window as a form of farewell is loaded with desperation and a desire for acknowledgment, suggesting a final attempt at communication and connection in the face of loneliness and despair. The specific mention of the "7th story downtown window" locates the event within an urban, impersonal setting, perhaps underscoring the isolation felt by the speaker in a crowded, yet emotionally distant, environment.

"What's for Dinner" is a brief yet deeply moving piece that captures the essence of human vulnerability, the impact of missed connections, and the tragic finality of certain decisions. Through its vivid imagery and tight narrative, Creeley's poem invites readers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships, the pain of isolation, and the sometimes desperate need for connection and understanding. The poem's title, with its mundane inquiry into a daily routine, contrasts sharply with the content's gravity, highlighting the juxtaposition between the trivial aspects of everyday life and the profound depths of human emotion and experience.

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