Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "Always" is a poignant meditation on time, loss, and the enduring presence of the present moment. Known for his stark and minimalist style, Creeley condenses powerful emotions into brief yet evocative lines, creating an atmosphere of both intimacy and universality. "Always" focuses on the passage of time and the inevitability of change, yet offers a sense of continuity in the face of loss.

The poem opens with "Sweet sister Mary’s gone / away," immediately introducing a sense of personal loss. The use of "Sweet sister Mary" evokes a figure of affection and endearment, and the simplicity of "gone away" communicates the finality of her departure without any elaborate detail. Creeley';s language here is straightforward, creating an emotional resonance that feels deeply personal while also allowing the reader to project their own experiences of loss onto the poem. The absence of punctuation at the end of this line leaves a lingering sense of incompleteness, as if the sentiment is unfinished, mirroring the way that loss leaves an emotional void.

The second line, "Time fades on and on," introduces the inexorable passage of time. Here, Creeley touches upon the idea that time continues despite our personal experiences of grief. The repetition of "on and on" emphasizes the relentless and indifferent nature of time, suggesting that even profound losses are eventually absorbed into its flow. There is a feeling of inevitability in this line—time does not stop for grief or loss, and the world continues to move forward.

The poem then shifts to an observation of the morning: "The morning was so bright, so clear / blurs in the eye, fades also." This description juxtaposes the initial brightness of the morning with its eventual fading. The clarity of the morning becomes blurred, mirroring the way that memories—no matter how vivid—tend to fade over time. The imagery here conveys the ephemeral nature of experience; even the clearest moments are subject to the blurring effects of time. The phrase "blurs in the eye" evokes the sensation of tears or perhaps the gradual fading of a cherished memory. The use of "fades also" underscores the inevitability of this process—nothing remains untouched by time’s passage.

"Time tells what after all" is a reflective line that questions the meaning or purpose that time ultimately reveals. The phrasing here is open-ended, suggesting ambiguity and uncertainty. It captures the idea that time has the final say, yet what it communicates is often unclear or elusive. The placement of this line after the description of fading memories and brightness suggests that time, rather than providing answers or clarity, leaves us with an ongoing sense of questioning.

The poem concludes with "It’s always now, always here," offering a shift from the previous focus on fading and loss to a reaffirmation of the present moment. This line encapsulates the core of Creeley’s meditation on time: despite the passage of time and the inevitability of change, what we truly have is the present. The repetition of "always" serves to emphasize the constancy of "now" and "here," suggesting that the present moment is the only true reality, while everything else—whether past or future—remains uncertain or intangible.

The poem’s structure, consisting of short lines and simple diction, reflects Creeley’s characteristic style. The brevity of the lines mirrors the fleeting nature of time, while the sparseness of language enhances the sense of immediacy and emotional resonance. The lack of punctuation contributes to the poem’s fluidity, allowing each line to flow into the next without interruption, much like the unbroken passage of time itself.

"Always" is a meditation on the inevitability of loss and the enduring presence of the present moment. Creeley juxtaposes the personal loss of "Sweet sister Mary" with the ongoing, impersonal movement of time, ultimately arriving at a sense of acceptance. The poem’s simplicity and directness make its emotional impact profound, as it invites the reader to reflect on the passage of time, the fading of memories, and the constancy of the present. In a world where loss is inevitable and memories fade, Creeley’s assertion that "It’s always now, always here" offers a reminder of the importance of embracing the present, even amidst the uncertainties of time.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...