Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Diction" is a meditation on language, change, and the loss of a simpler or more authentic form of expression. Through evocative imagery and a reflective tone, Creeley captures a nostalgic longing for a past when language seemed to have more direct and meaningful connections to the human experience. The poem grapples with the shifting nature of language and the unease that arises when words no longer seem to fit the realities they once described.

The opening line, "The grand time when the words / were fit for human allegation," immediately evokes a sense of nostalgia. The phrase "the grand time" suggests an era that was significant, perhaps idealized in the speaker';s memory. "Words were fit for human allegation" implies that language once had an appropriate and natural relationship with human experience—it was well-suited to convey thoughts, emotions, and truths. The use of the word "allegation" adds a layer of formality and gravity, suggesting that language was once capable of expressing important claims or assertions about life with precision and clarity.

"And imagination of small, local / containments, and the lids fit" reflects a time when language could encapsulate the immediate, intimate aspects of life. The phrase "imagination of small, local containments" implies a sense of simplicity and familiarity, where the scope of imagination was centered on the local and the tangible. The imagery of "lids fit" conveys a sense of completeness and containment—everything was in its proper place, and language was capable of fully enclosing the ideas it sought to express. This imagery suggests that the speaker is yearning for a time when language could adequately describe and contain the small, everyday experiences of life without feeling insufficient or disconnected.

"What was the wind blew through it, / a veritable bonfire like they say—" introduces a shift in tone, suggesting that something has disrupted this ideal relationship between language and reality. The "wind" that "blew through it" implies a force that has unsettled or scattered what was once contained, perhaps indicating a loss of control or stability. The phrase "a veritable bonfire like they say" evokes an image of destruction or transformation—a force that consumes and alters what was once familiar. The "bonfire" could symbolize a significant change in the way language is used or perceived, turning what was once stable into something chaotic and unpredictable. The use of "like they say" introduces a layer of irony or skepticism, suggesting that this transformation has been discussed or lamented by others, but its true impact remains ambiguous.

The lines "and did say in hostile, little voices: / ';It’s changed, it’s not the same!';" capture the reaction to this transformation. The "hostile, little voices" suggest a tone of resistance or discontent, as if those who once cherished the old way of using language are now struggling to come to terms with its change. The repetition of "It';s changed, it';s not the same!" underscores a sense of loss and frustration. It reflects the discomfort that arises when language, which once seemed to provide stability and clarity, no longer serves that purpose. This lamentation points to the disconnection that occurs when words no longer fit neatly with the ideas or realities they are meant to describe, leaving a sense of emptiness or inadequacy.

The structure of "Diction" is compact, with enjambed lines that create a sense of fluidity and movement, mirroring the transformation that the poem describes. The language is direct yet layered with meaning, inviting readers to reflect on the evolving nature of language and its relationship to human experience. Creeley’s use of imagery, such as "lids fit" and "a veritable bonfire," effectively conveys the sense of containment and subsequent upheaval that characterize the poem';s central theme.

"Diction" ultimately explores themes of change, nostalgia, and the uneasy relationship between language and reality. Through evocative imagery and a reflective tone, Robert Creeley captures the sense of loss that accompanies the transformation of language—once a tool that fit perfectly with human experience, now something that feels altered and insufficient. The poem invites readers to consider how language evolves over time, how it shapes and is shaped by the world around us, and how the loss of a once-adequate means of expression can leave us feeling disconnected from the very experiences we wish to communicate. In "Diction," Creeley highlights the power of words, the inevitability of change, and the struggle to find meaning in a world where language itself is in flux.

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