Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley';s poem "Edges" is an evocative meditation on nature, love, and the profound presence of a shared moment in the natural world. Written for "Pen’s Birthday," the poem speaks to the beauty of the present, the appreciation of life’s vivid details, and the significance of love that transcends age and time. Through imagery that highlights the edges and boundaries of a field, sunlight, and relationships, Creeley reflects on the interconnectedness of being and the meaning of presence.

The opening lines, "Edges of the field, the blue flowers, the reddish wash of the grasses, the cut green path up to the garden / plot overgrown with seedlings and weeds," provide a rich, sensory description of a field. The edges mark the boundary between different spaces, yet they also suggest an invitation to explore beyond the known. The "blue flowers" and "reddish wash of the grasses" evoke a vivid natural palette, while the "cut green path" leads to a garden that has become "overgrown with seedlings and weeds." This image of overgrowth suggests both neglect and natural abundance, capturing the untamed quality of nature that defies human control.

"Green first of all, but light, the cut of the sunlight edges each shift of the vivid particulars, grown large—" highlights the importance of light in defining the scene. The sunlight "edges each shift of the vivid particulars," suggesting that light brings clarity and emphasis to each element, making them "grow large" in the speaker';s perception. Even the "stones" become "large in their givens," emphasizing the natural weight and presence of each detail. The phrase "the shadows massing / their bulk" suggests a contrast between light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and volume in the scene. The interplay of light and shadow underscores the richness of the environment, where even the seemingly ordinary becomes significant.

"And so seeing I could follow out to another edge of the farther field, where trees are thick on the sky’s / edge, thinking I am not simply a response to this, this light," introduces a reflective shift. The speaker contemplates their relationship with the natural world, acknowledging the boundaries of the "farther field" where "trees are thick on the sky’s edge." The statement "I am not simply a response to this, this light" suggests a deeper connection to the environment beyond mere observation. The speaker resists the notion that they are a passive observer; instead, they recognize themselves as an active participant in the scene. This recognition conveys a desire to move beyond simple observation and into a more profound, immersive experience.

"Not just an agency sees and vaguely adumbrates, adds an opinion. There is no opinion for life, no word more or less general." These lines convey a rejection of the idea that the speaker is merely a detached observer providing interpretation. The phrase "there is no opinion for life" emphasizes that life, in its essence, cannot be fully captured or explained by words or judgments. Instead, life simply is—it exists beyond the limits of language and opinion, resisting reduction to abstract concepts or generalized statements.

"I had begun and returned, again and again, to find you finally, / felt it all gather, as here, to be a place again, and wanted to shuck the husk of habits, to lift myself to you in this sunlight." The repetition of "begun and returned" suggests a cyclical journey, a continual process of seeking and finding. The speaker';s search leads to the "you" of the poem, who is central to their experience of the moment. The imagery of "shucking the husk of habits" suggests a desire to shed the routines or limitations that have accumulated over time, to reveal something more essential. The act of "lifting myself to you in this sunlight" conveys a sense of offering, of wanting to connect with the beloved in the pure, illuminating presence of sunlight.

"If it is age, then what does age matter? If it is older or younger, / what moment notes it?" These lines dismiss the significance of age, suggesting that the present moment transcends such distinctions. The rhetorical questions imply that age, whether "older or younger," is irrelevant in the face of the profound connection being experienced. The emphasis on the present moment reflects a deep appreciation for the "here and now," where time seems to lose its power, and what truly matters is the shared experience.

"In this containment there cannot be another place or time. It all lives by its being / here and now, this persistent pleasure, ache of promise, misery of all / that’s lost." The word "containment" suggests a sense of completeness, as if the present moment holds everything within it, leaving no room for any other time or place. The phrase "this persistent pleasure, ache of promise, misery of all / that';s lost" captures the complexity of the experience—there is joy, but also an awareness of what has been lost or could be lost. This duality of pleasure and loss speaks to the fullness of life, where every moment contains both fulfillment and the shadow of impermanence.

"Now as if this moment had somehow secured to itself a body, had become you, just here and now, the wonders inseparable in this sunlight, here, had come to me again." The closing lines suggest that the present moment has taken on a tangible form, becoming embodied in the beloved. The phrase "had become you" emphasizes the intimate connection between the moment and the beloved, as if the experience of sunlight, nature, and presence are all encapsulated in the "you" of the poem. The wonders of the moment are "inseparable in this sunlight," creating an image of unity and completeness.

Robert Creeley';s "Edges" is a contemplative celebration of presence, love, and the beauty of the natural world. The poem captures the richness of the moment, where the edges of the field, the interplay of light and shadow, and the connection with a loved one all converge to create a profound experience. Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Creeley explores the desire to transcend habits, the irrelevance of age, and the inseparable nature of love and the present. The poem ultimately speaks to the beauty of being fully present, embracing the complexity of life with all its pleasures, promises, and losses, and finding meaning in the interconnectedness of self, other, and the natural world.

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