Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "Ambition" is a succinct and striking reflection on the elusiveness of ambition and the eventual disillusionment that comes with it. Creeley’s minimalist approach, characterized by brevity and an economy of language, works effectively here to communicate the complex emotions surrounding ambition—its absence, rejection, and the futility of longing for something intangible. The poem captures the essence of feeling disconnected from the traditional concept of ambition, and it leaves the reader with a sense of defiance against societal expectations.

The poem opens with "Couldn’t guess it, / couldn’t be it—" which establishes a sense of ambiguity and unattainability. The repetition of "couldn’t" suggests a consistent failure to understand or embody "it," which, given the title, can be inferred to mean ambition. The lack of specific details surrounding what "it" represents adds to the universality of the poem; ambition here is an abstract, indefinable quality that the speaker finds elusive. The use of the indefinite pronoun "it" reflects the vague and impersonal nature of the concept—the speaker cannot grasp it, and it remains beyond reach.

The line "wasn’t ever / there then" suggests that ambition is not something the speaker has ever possessed or felt. The temporal shift to the past with "wasn’t ever" implies that ambition was absent not just in the speaker’s present but throughout their life. The enjambment here between lines reflects a continuity of thought, emphasizing that the lack of ambition is a persistent theme. The use of the word "then" adds a sense of finality, as if to say that the opportunity for ambition, if it ever existed, is long gone.

The poem continues with "Won’t / come back," which suggests that any semblance of ambition the speaker may have experienced is now lost and irretrievable. The certainty conveyed by "won’t" reveals an acceptance of this loss, even an indifference to it. There is no longing for ambition’s return—its absence is treated as a matter of fact. The break between "won’t" and "come back" adds a sense of finality, reflecting the speaker’s decision to move on from this pursuit.

The final two words, "don’t / want it," are a definitive rejection of ambition. Creeley’s use of direct and simple language here carries a powerful emotional weight. The statement is a refusal to conform to the expectations that often accompany ambition. By stating "don’t want it," the speaker turns away from societal norms that place value on ambition as a marker of success. This final assertion transforms the previous ambiguity and frustration into a deliberate stance—a choice to reject ambition altogether.

The structure of the poem—short lines with abrupt breaks and limited punctuation—mirrors the fragmented nature of the speaker';s thoughts. The brevity and enjambment create a rhythm that feels disjointed and abrupt, much like the experience of grappling with a concept that remains elusive and ultimately unsatisfying. The lack of punctuation, especially at the end, lends the poem an open-ended quality, allowing the reader to reflect on the nature of ambition and the speaker’s rejection of it.

Creeley’s "Ambition" captures the complexity of an emotion that is often idealized in modern culture. The poem is not merely a reflection on an individual’s failure to be ambitious; rather, it is a deliberate questioning and rejection of the value of ambition itself. The poem suggests that ambition is something the speaker has never fully grasped or embodied, and ultimately does not desire. Through his sparse, minimalist language, Creeley effectively conveys a sense of liberation that comes from rejecting external pressures and choosing to define one’s own path.

In "Ambition," Creeley presents ambition as an elusive and ultimately undesirable pursuit, challenging the reader to reconsider the societal emphasis on achievement and success. The poem’s simplicity, combined with its sharp, deliberate phrasing, creates a powerful meditation on the nature of ambition, the pressures of conformity, and the freedom that comes from letting go of unattainable ideals.

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