Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "Help Heaven" is a short yet deeply evocative meditation on the nature of existence, the connection between the earthly and the divine, and the beauty found in simply being present. With its minimalist style and simple yet profound language, the poem grapples with the tension between the transcendent and the material, urging a recognition of the sacred in everyday life.

The poem opens with an imperative: "Help heaven up out / of nothing." This line is striking in its directness, as it commands the reader (or perhaps the speaker themselves) to "help" heaven rise from nothingness. The idea of heaven being lifted "up out of nothing" suggests that heaven—whether understood as a spiritual realm, a state of being, or a sense of transcendence—is not a static or preexisting entity, but something that must be actively summoned or brought into being. This implies that heaven, or the experience of the divine, does not simply manifest on its own but requires human engagement or consciousness to come into existence. The notion of pulling something as weighty and profound as heaven out of "nothing" suggests that the potential for the sacred is always present, but it requires recognition and effort to bring it into awareness.

The phrase "before it" in the next line seems to continue the thought from the opening, indicating that this act of helping heaven arise occurs before something else—or perhaps before a deeper understanding or realization. The ambiguity of what exactly follows "before it" invites multiple interpretations: it could refer to the arrival of awareness, the passage of time, or the creation of meaning in the face of existential uncertainty. There is a sense of anticipation or preparation for something to come, but the poem leaves the specifics open to the reader’s imagination.

Creeley follows with a shift in tone: "so deep and soft / lovely it feels to / be here at all now." These lines transition from the abstract concept of heaven to the immediate, sensual experience of being alive. The repetition of soft, flowing sounds in "so deep and soft" mirrors the gentle, comforting nature of the feeling being described. This softness contrasts with the earlier notion of "nothing," suggesting that once heaven is helped up from nothingness, what remains is a profound and gentle experience of being present. The speaker seems to be marveling at the sheer beauty of existence, finding joy and comfort in the fact of being alive "now."

The line "lovely it feels to / be here at all now" expresses a kind of quiet gratitude or awe at the simple fact of being. The word "lovely" imbues the poem with a sense of tenderness and appreciation, as if the speaker is deeply moved by the moment they are experiencing. The phrase "to be here at all" highlights the fragility and wonder of existence. It suggests that being alive, being present in this moment, is not something to be taken for granted. The addition of "now" emphasizes the immediacy of this realization—there is a sense of presence, of being fully in the moment, unburdened by past or future concerns.

Structurally, "Help Heaven" reflects Creeley’s characteristic minimalism, with short, simple lines that invite the reader to linger on each word and phrase. The lack of punctuation allows the poem to flow seamlessly from one thought to the next, mirroring the fluidity of the experience being described. This openness in form enhances the meditative quality of the poem, as the reader is encouraged to move slowly through the language, reflecting on the interplay between nothingness and presence, between transcendence and the physical world.

The overall mood of the poem is one of quiet reverence. While the opening line commands action—"help heaven up"—the rest of the poem settles into a sense of peacefulness and appreciation. The speaker seems to have found a moment of clarity, where the complexities and struggles of life fall away, leaving only the deep and soft feeling of being alive. This feeling is not grand or dramatic but subtle and tender, rooted in the recognition of the beauty of existence itself.

In many ways, "Help Heaven" can be seen as a celebration of the present moment. It suggests that heaven, or the divine, is not a distant or unreachable realm but something that can be experienced in the here and now. The act of "helping" heaven suggests that we play an active role in creating or perceiving this sacredness—that it is not handed to us, but discovered through our own awareness. The poem ultimately points to the idea that the divine, the "heaven" we seek, may be found in the very act of being present, in the soft, lovely moments of existence that we often overlook.

In conclusion, "Help Heaven" is a brief but powerful reflection on the relationship between the transcendent and the mundane. Through its minimalist language and evocative imagery, Robert Creeley explores the idea that heaven is not a distant, abstract concept, but something that can be summoned into being through awareness and appreciation of the present moment. The poem’s focus on the gentle, lovely feeling of being alive encourages the reader to find beauty and sacredness in the here and now, reminding us that heaven may not be something we reach after death, but something we create in the act of living fully and consciously.

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