Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Calendar: Wyatt';s May" is a meditation on the passage of time, the beauty and generosity of May, and a reflection on the life of Sir Thomas Wyatt, a prominent poet of the English Renaissance. Creeley skillfully weaves in historical references, particularly Wyatt';s poetry, to evoke themes of renewal, memory, and the complexity of human experience. The poem blends evocative descriptions of the English landscape with contemplative reflections on the past, creating an atmosphere of reverence for both nature and the poetic tradition.

The poem begins with an excerpt from Sir Thomas Wyatt: "In May my welth and eke my liff, I say, / have stonde so oft in such perplexitie . . ." These lines introduce Wyatt';s own sense of uncertainty and the challenges he faced during the month of May. Wyatt, known for his introspective and emotionally complex poetry, often conveyed a sense of turmoil in his work. By including these lines, Creeley acknowledges Wyatt';s emotional state, suggesting that even during a time associated with renewal and beauty, such as May, there can be underlying tension and confusion.

Creeley then shifts the focus to the present with the line, "In England May’s mercy is generous." This line contrasts with Wyatt';s experience, highlighting the beauty and abundance of May in England. The phrase "May’s mercy" personifies the month as something benevolent and kind, suggesting that nature provides a sense of relief or grace. The "mustard covers fields in broad swaths, / the hedges are white flowered" evokes vivid imagery of the English countryside in full bloom. The mustard fields and white-flowered hedges symbolize the fullness of spring, with its abundance of life and color. This description paints May as a time of growth and beauty, underscoring the contrast between the natural world';s outward appearance and the inner struggles expressed by Wyatt.

"But it is meager, so said" introduces a note of skepticism or ambivalence. Despite the beauty of the landscape, there is a suggestion that this abundance is somehow lacking or insufficient. This phrase hints at the limitations of nature';s generosity—while it may appear beautiful and full, it does not necessarily fulfill deeper emotional or existential needs. The idea that this beauty is "meager" reflects a sense of disillusionment, perhaps echoing Wyatt';s own experiences of uncertainty and perplexity.

The imagery shifts to a more personal scene: "Having tea here, by the river, / huge castle, cathedral, time passes by / in undigested, fond lumps." This setting evokes a sense of leisurely contemplation, with the speaker reflecting on the passage of time while surrounded by the historical and architectural grandeur of England. The "huge castle" and "cathedral" symbolize the enduring presence of history and tradition, suggesting that the speaker is immersed in a place rich with cultural and historical significance. The phrase "time passes by / in undigested, fond lumps" conveys a sense of nostalgia and the difficulty of fully processing or understanding the weight of history and experience. The word "undigested" implies that these experiences have not been fully absorbed or understood, while "fond lumps" suggests a mixture of affection and incompleteness, as if the past is held in pieces rather than a coherent whole.

"Wyatt died while visiting friends nearby, / and is buried in Sherborne Abbey" brings the focus back to Wyatt';s life and death. The mention of Sherborne Abbey, Wyatt';s final resting place, grounds the poem in a specific historical context and evokes a sense of reverence for the poet. The reference to Wyatt as "England’s first sonnet-maker . . ." acknowledges his contribution to English poetry, particularly his role in introducing the sonnet form to England. This historical note honors Wyatt';s legacy and his influence on the poetic tradition.

The next lines—"May May reward him and all he stood for / more happily now because he sang May, / maybe for all of us:"—express a wish for Wyatt';s spirit to find peace and reward, particularly because of his poetic celebration of May. The repetition of "May" serves as both a reference to the month and a hopeful invocation, suggesting that Wyatt';s connection to the beauty of May might bring him some form of solace or recognition. The line "because he sang May, / maybe for all of us" implies that Wyatt';s poetry spoke to universal experiences, capturing emotions that resonate beyond his own life.

The poem continues with a quote from Wyatt: "Arise, I say, do May some obseruance! / Let me in bed lie dreming in mischaunce . . ." These lines reflect Wyatt';s conflicted relationship with the month of May—while he encourages others to celebrate the beauty of the season, he himself remains in bed, "dreaming in mischance." This juxtaposition captures the complexity of Wyatt';s character: even as he acknowledges the outward beauty of spring, he cannot fully escape his own internal struggles. The use of Middle English spelling in the quote further emphasizes the historical context and lends an air of authenticity to Wyatt';s voice.

The poem concludes with "So does May’s mind remember all / it thought of once." This line personifies May as having a "mind" capable of remembering, suggesting that the month itself holds onto the memories and experiences of those who have lived through it. The idea that May "remembers all / it thought of once" implies a sense of continuity, as if the month carries forward the accumulated emotions, hopes, and dreams of those who have celebrated or lamented its arrival. This personification of May reinforces the theme of memory and the connection between the past and the present, suggesting that the beauty and complexity of May endure, even as individual lives pass.

"Calendar: Wyatt';s May" is a rich and reflective poem that intertwines the natural beauty of May with the historical and emotional legacy of Sir Thomas Wyatt. Through vivid descriptions of the English landscape and thoughtful references to Wyatt';s poetry, Creeley explores themes of renewal, memory, and the complexity of human experience. The poem captures the tension between the outward beauty of the natural world and the inner struggles that often accompany it, acknowledging both the generosity of nature and the limitations of its ability to fulfill deeper needs. By invoking Wyatt';s voice and legacy, Creeley honors the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty and ambiguity of life, suggesting that the spirit of May continues to resonate through the ages, offering both hope and reflection.

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