Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Calendar: March Moon" encapsulates the transitional phase between winter and spring, using evocative language and minimal imagery to explore the subtle shifts in the natural world as it begins to thaw from the cold. The poem blends the physical elements of a winter landscape with the symbolic meanings attached to this transition, reflecting on both the rigidity of winter and the inevitable break that comes with the arrival of spring. The focus on a specific moment within the cycle of seasons creates a contemplative atmosphere, inviting readers to witness and consider the transformative power of nature.

The opening lines, "Already night and day / move more closely, shyly," suggest that the length of day and night is starting to converge, signaling the coming change in seasons. The use of "shyly" anthropomorphizes the interaction between night and day, as if these two forces are tentatively approaching each other, hesitant but hopeful. This tentative quality captures the subtlety of early spring, a period where changes occur slowly and gently, almost as if the world itself is unsure of how to transition.

The phrase "under this frozen white cover, / still rigid with locked, fixed, deadened containment" conveys a sense of the harshness and inflexibility of winter. The "frozen white cover" is a clear reference to snow, which blankets everything in a layer of stillness and dormancy. The adjectives "locked," "fixed," and "deadened" emphasize the oppressive nature of winter, evoking an image of a world that is held in stasis, waiting for the release of spring. The snow is depicted as an almost suffocating force, preventing movement and growth, creating an atmosphere of suspension.

The introduction of the dog in the next lines—"The dog lies snuffling, snarling / at the sounds beyond the door"—brings an element of life and restlessness into the otherwise still landscape. The dog is described as "snuffling, snarling," which conveys a sense of alertness and tension, suggesting that it can sense the changes happening outside. The dog’s reaction to "the sounds beyond the door" indicates that the natural world is beginning to stir, even if those changes are still hidden from view. The dog serves as a mediator between the human world inside and the natural world outside, reacting instinctively to the forces that are beginning to awaken.

"She hears the night, the new moon, / the white, wan stars" continues this imagery, providing a sensory depiction of the outside world as experienced by the dog. The mention of the "new moon" and the "white, wan stars" evokes a sense of quiet beauty but also a kind of fragility. The new moon, a symbol of beginnings, suggests the start of a new cycle, while the "wan" stars imply a dim, pale light, perhaps reflecting the lingering grip of winter. These elements together create a sense of anticipation, as if the natural world is on the verge of breaking open and transitioning into something new.

The final lines—"the emptiness momently will / break itself open, howling, intemperate"—capture the moment of transformation, when the stillness of winter gives way to the unruly energy of spring. The word "emptiness" suggests the void that winter creates, a barren period devoid of life and movement. The phrase "momently will / break itself open" indicates an imminent change, a sudden rupture that will bring an end to the silence and stagnation. The imagery of "howling, intemperate" evokes the idea of a force that cannot be contained, something wild and unrestrained that bursts forth, breaking the rigid hold of winter. This could refer to the wind, the voices of animals, or even the internal energy of the earth itself as it awakens.

The structure of the poem, with its short, enjambed lines and lack of punctuation, contributes to the sense of fluidity and gradual movement. The lack of punctuation allows each line to flow seamlessly into the next, creating a sense of ongoing progression, much like the slow but inevitable transition from winter to spring. Creeley';s language is economical, yet each word carries weight, evoking the feeling of stillness while hinting at the restless energy that lies beneath the surface.

"Calendar: March Moon" ultimately reflects on the delicate balance between winter and spring, stillness and movement, containment and release. Through vivid imagery and subtle personification, Creeley captures a moment of anticipation, the quiet before the storm of renewal that is spring. The poem is a meditation on the cycles of nature, the tension between dormancy and growth, and the powerful forces that drive these transitions. It invites readers to consider not just the visible changes that come with the turning of the seasons, but also the less tangible shifts—those internal stirrings that mirror the natural world and remind us of the perpetual cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

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