Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "Calendar: The Tally (November)" paints a scene of communal interaction, hunger, and contemplation. Set against the backdrop of November, the poem explores themes of scarcity, shared experience, and the resistance to quantify or judge one';s life through "the tally." Creeley';s minimalist and reflective style allows the reader to feel the weight of each word, evoking a sense of both intimacy and struggle as individuals navigate their circumstances. The poem grapples with the tension between connection and limitation, as well as the broader human impulse to understand the passing of time and the meaning behind it.

The poem begins with a simple image: "Sitting at table / wedged back against wall." This description immediately evokes a sense of confinement and closeness, as the speaker is physically wedged against a wall while sitting at a table. The imagery suggests both a literal and a metaphorical restriction—being pressed against a wall could represent the limited space, the lack of options, or perhaps a sense of being stuck. The setting of the table implies a communal situation, possibly a shared meal, which provides an intimate backdrop for the exploration of human relationships and the challenges that come with them.

"The food goes down in lumps swallowed / in hunger" depicts the act of eating, but in a manner that is far from enjoyable. The food is described as going down "in lumps," suggesting discomfort or difficulty. It conveys the sense that this is a necessary act rather than a pleasurable one—a means of survival rather than a moment of indulgence. The phrase "swallowed in hunger" emphasizes the urgency of the need, underscoring the idea that the people present are not eating for enjoyment, but out of necessity. The starkness of this depiction aligns with the sense of November—a month often associated with the beginning of winter, scarcity, and preparation for the colder months.

The next lines, "in peculiar friendship / meets rightly again without reason / more than common bond," suggest that despite the discomfort and difficulty, there is a form of connection that arises among those present. The term "peculiar friendship" implies a bond that is unconventional or unexpected, possibly forged through shared hardship or circumstances rather than natural affinity. This friendship "meets rightly again without reason," indicating that the connection feels appropriate, even if it lacks a logical basis. The phrase "more than common bond" points to the fact that this relationship transcends typical connections—it is formed through something deeper, perhaps the shared experience of struggle or the simple act of being together in this moment of need.

"The children or the old cannot reach / for more / for themselves" introduces an element of vulnerability, focusing on those who are dependent on others. The children and the elderly, who "cannot reach / for more," symbolize those who are unable to provide for themselves or take more than what is given. This line emphasizes the limitations that some people face, and it underscores the sense of communal responsibility present at the table. The inability to "reach for more" implies both a physical and a social limitation, as if these individuals are constrained by their circumstances, unable to claim anything beyond what they are given.

"We’ll wonder, wander, in November," shifts the focus to a more reflective and existential tone. The repetition of "wonder" and "wander" creates a sense of contemplation and aimlessness, capturing the mood of late autumn—a time when the year begins to draw to a close, and people often find themselves reflecting on the months that have passed. The word "wander" suggests a lack of direction, as if November is a time for searching, perhaps for meaning, warmth, or understanding, without a clear destination.

"Count days and ways / to remember, keep away / from the tally, the accounting" concludes the poem with a meditation on memory and the avoidance of judgment. The act of counting "days and ways" implies an attempt to measure time, to make sense of what has happened, or to find significance in the passing days. "To remember" indicates the importance of holding onto moments or experiences, especially as the year nears its end. However, the speaker also expresses a desire to "keep away / from the tally, the accounting," which suggests a resistance to reducing life to mere numbers or evaluations. The "tally" and "accounting" symbolize judgment, quantification, and perhaps the weighing of successes and failures. By rejecting this, the speaker implies that the value of life cannot be fully captured through such measures; instead, it is found in the lived experiences, the relationships, and the moments of shared humanity.

Structurally, the poem is composed of short, enjambed lines that create a sense of movement and reflection, mirroring the wandering thoughts of the speaker. The lack of punctuation allows the imagery to flow, contributing to the fluid and introspective tone. Creeley’s language is simple, yet each word is laden with meaning, capturing the complexity of the human condition through vivid, unembellished imagery.

"Calendar: The Tally (November)" ultimately captures a moment of communal struggle, vulnerability, and introspection. Through the imagery of a shared meal, the poem reflects on the connections formed through hardship, the limitations faced by the vulnerable, and the broader human tendency to seek meaning and understanding. November, as depicted in the poem, becomes a time of reckoning—not in the sense of judgment, but as a period for reflection, remembrance, and an acknowledgment of what truly matters. Creeley emphasizes the importance of human connection and the value of lived experience over the quantification of achievements, urging readers to find meaning beyond the "tally" of life and to embrace the bonds that sustain us through times of scarcity and uncertainty.

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