Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Calendar: Memory (December)" reflects on the longing for comfort, hope, and light during the cold and dark period of December. It is a meditation on both personal and collective memory, invoking the traditional imagery of the nativity and the innocent hope of childhood, contrasted against the harshness of the modern world. Creeley explores the tension between the ideals of kindness and compassion versus the reality of a world marked by suffering and confusion. Through spare, evocative language, the poem conveys a sense of both nostalgia and resilience.

The poem begins with the line "I’d wanted / ease of year," expressing a yearning for simplicity and peace. The phrase "ease of year" suggests a desire for a period without turmoil, a time when the challenges and hardships of life might be put to rest. This longing for "light in the darkness" is a powerful metaphor that evokes the natural imagery of December—the longest nights of the year—as well as the emotional yearning for hope in times of despair. The "end of fears" speaks directly to the human desire for reassurance and security, especially at the close of a challenging year.

"For the babe newborn / was my belief, / in the manger, / in that simple barn" introduces the imagery of the nativity, evoking the story of the birth of Christ. This allusion captures the innocence and purity of the Christmas story, a moment that symbolizes hope, renewal, and the possibility of salvation. The emphasis on "that simple barn" draws attention to the humble setting of the nativity, highlighting the contrast between the grand idea of a savior and the modest circumstances of his birth. This simplicity serves as a symbol for a more innocent time, when the speaker found comfort in the idea of a miraculous birth that could bring light and hope into a dark world.

"So since childhood / animals / brought back kindness, / made possible care" moves away from the explicit religious imagery to focus on a more universal experience of compassion. The reference to "animals" in connection with "kindness" and "care" evokes the traditional imagery of animals present at the nativity scene, but also speaks to a broader sense of empathy and gentleness associated with them. Animals are symbols of innocence, and their presence in the barn with the newborn Christ creates a moment of tenderness and mutual care. The mention of childhood underscores the purity of these memories, suggesting that these ideals of kindness were instilled at an early age, perhaps before the complexities and harshness of adulthood took hold.

The tone shifts significantly with the lines "But this world now / with its want, its pain, / its tyrannic confusions / and hopelessness." Here, Creeley contrasts the innocent hope of childhood and the nativity with the current state of the world. The "want" and "pain" highlight the suffering that persists, while "tyrannic confusions" evokes the sense of chaos, oppression, and the overwhelming nature of modern existence. The addition of "hopelessness" underscores the disillusionment felt by the speaker—an acknowledgment that the simple, comforting beliefs of childhood are difficult to sustain in the face of real-world suffering and complexity.

"Sees no star / far shining, / no wonder as light / in the night" further emphasizes this loss of hope. The "star far shining" is a clear reference to the Star of Bethlehem, which, in the nativity story, guided the wise men to the newborn Jesus. In this modern world, however, there is "no star" to guide humanity, no miraculous sign to offer direction or reassurance. The "wonder as light in the night" is absent, replaced instead by darkness, symbolizing the loss of wonder, faith, and a guiding sense of purpose in an increasingly difficult world.

Yet the poem closes on a note of resilience: "Only us then / remember, discover, / still can care for / the human." This concluding sentiment is a call to action. Even without the miraculous signs and symbols that once brought hope, the capacity for care and compassion lies within human beings themselves. The repetition of "remember, discover" suggests both a looking back to recapture lost ideals and a forward-looking effort to find new ways to foster kindness and empathy. The phrase "still can care for / the human" emphasizes that, despite the absence of external sources of wonder or guidance, the potential for kindness and care remains alive within people.

Structurally, the poem uses short, fragmented lines that create a sense of movement and reflection. The rhythm is almost prayer-like, evoking a sense of contemplation and yearning. Creeley’s sparse use of language allows each word to carry significant weight, capturing the essence of a moment or feeling with precision. The simplicity of the imagery—light and darkness, a newborn in a manger, animals, the absence of a star—mirrors the simplicity of the emotions the poem conveys: longing, disillusionment, and ultimately, a determined hope.

"Calendar: Memory (December)" is a reflection on the contrasts between the hope of the past and the challenges of the present, between innocence and disillusionment, and between external sources of guidance and the internal capacity for care. By invoking the imagery of the nativity and the idealized memories of childhood, Creeley juxtaposes these against the harshness of the modern world, ultimately suggesting that while the symbols of hope may no longer be as apparent, the capacity for compassion still resides within each of us. The poem invites readers to find solace not in miraculous events but in their own ability to care for others, suggesting that this human connection is what truly brings light into the darkness.

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