Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Dogs" is a brief yet poignant reflection on control, authority, and the desire for mastery. Through simple language and a straightforward depiction of training dogs, Creeley explores deeper themes related to power dynamics, autonomy, and the complexities of human relationships with others—whether they are animals or people. The poem raises questions about the nature of control and the yearning for dominance, while also revealing an underlying sense of limitation and ambiguity.

The opening line, "I';ve trained them / to come, / to go away again," introduces the idea of training as an act of exerting authority. The speaker describes their control over the dogs in a matter-of-fact manner, suggesting an established relationship where commands are given and obeyed. The alternating directives of "to come" and "to go away again" reveal the speaker';s ability to control the dogs'; movements, emphasizing their power over when the dogs are allowed to approach or must leave. This duality hints at the fickle nature of authority, as the speaker can decide at any moment whether to summon or dismiss the animals.

The subsequent lines, "to sit, to stand, / to wait / on command," continue this theme of control. The commands are familiar ones used in training, illustrating a relationship that is centered on obedience and discipline. The repetition of these basic commands underscores the extent of the speaker';s influence over the dogs'; behavior, highlighting their ability to dictate even the simplest of actions. The phrase "to wait / on command" implies a pause or a withholding of action, as if the dogs must surrender their autonomy entirely to the speaker';s will. This dynamic between command and compliance reflects a hierarchical relationship in which the dogs'; freedom is defined by the limits set by the speaker.

The shift in tone comes with the line "or I';d like to / be the master who / tells them all / they can';t do." Here, the poem reveals a more complex, perhaps even conflicted, aspect of the speaker';s desire for authority. The phrase "I';d like to" suggests that the speaker';s control is not absolute; there is an aspiration rather than a certainty in their wish to be the "master." The word "master" connotes a figure of ultimate authority, someone who holds complete power over others. The speaker';s longing to "tell them all / they can';t do" reveals an underlying desire to impose absolute limitations, to establish themselves as the ultimate authority who defines the boundaries of what is permissible.

However, this desire for dominance is tinged with an ambiguity that hints at the limitations of such control. The use of "I';d like to" suggests that the speaker may not have achieved this level of mastery, implying a gap between aspiration and reality. This statement reveals a complex dynamic in which the speaker’s authority is both asserted and questioned—perhaps they recognize the futility of total control or the inherent impossibility of fully mastering another being';s will.

The poem';s structure is compact, with short, enjambed lines that create a sense of immediacy and simplicity, mirroring the directness of the commands given to the dogs. The lack of punctuation allows the lines to flow into one another, reflecting the ongoing nature of the speaker';s attempts to train and control. The simplicity of the language contrasts with the underlying tension between the desire for power and the recognition of its limitations.

"Dogs" ultimately explores themes of control, authority, and the desire for mastery. Through the depiction of training dogs, Robert Creeley captures the complexities of power dynamics and the ambiguous nature of human relationships with others. The poem suggests that while the speaker may wish to be the "master" who controls every aspect of the dogs'; behavior, this desire is not fully realized, and the aspiration itself is fraught with uncertainty. "Dogs" invites readers to consider the limits of authority and the ways in which the desire for control can reveal both strength and vulnerability. The poem speaks to the broader human experience of wanting to impose order on the world, while simultaneously confronting the inherent limitations of that power.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...