Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s "Loops" is a meditation on identity, memory, and the inescapable cycles of self-reflection and regret. Through his signature minimalist style and fragmented imagery, Creeley explores the tension between the self as it is and the self as it might have been—drawing attention to the idea of the "other" within oneself. The poem is deeply introspective, moving through thoughts about the past, self-awareness, and the difficulty of finding resolution in the face of regret and the passing of time.

The poem opens with the lines, "The other who I’d be / never the same as me," which immediately introduce the concept of an alternate self—an imagined version of the speaker that exists in contrast to their present identity. This "other" self represents a path not taken or a different version of the speaker that could have existed under different circumstances. The phrase "never the same as me" suggests that this alternate self remains inaccessible, a reflection of choices not made or opportunities lost. The impossibility of stepping "outside and see[ing]" this other self reinforces the sense of being trapped within one’s current identity, unable to fully understand or experience what could have been.

The line "some penitence of memory" introduces the theme of guilt and regret. The speaker seems to view memory as a kind of penance, a painful reminder of the past that cannot be changed. This suggests that the speaker’s reflection on the "other" self is colored by a sense of remorse—perhaps for decisions made, actions taken, or relationships that have been damaged. Memory, in this context, becomes both a source of reflection and a burden, as the speaker grapples with the weight of past choices.

As the poem moves forward, the imagery shifts to describe the passing of time: "As day fades to the dust-filled light / in the window in the back wall beyond sight." The fading day symbolizes the inevitable progression of time, while the "dust-filled light" evokes a sense of decay and impermanence. The window "in the back wall beyond sight" suggests that the speaker is looking toward something distant and elusive—perhaps the past or a different version of themselves that remains out of reach. The imagery of fading light and an unseen window underscores the speaker’s sense of being disconnected from the world around them, as they retreat further into their thoughts and memories.

The next lines introduce a comforting, yet ambiguous figure: "where I can feel the coming night / like an old friend who sets all to rights." Here, the approaching night is personified as an "old friend," suggesting that the speaker finds solace in the end of the day, or perhaps in the idea of an ending itself. Night, often associated with rest, sleep, or even death, is seen as something that brings a sense of closure or resolution—something that can "set all to rights." However, this comfort is bittersweet, as it implies that the speaker’s peace comes not from resolution in life but from the passage of time and the acceptance of inevitable endings.

The lines "In the constrictions of this determined scribble / despite slipping thought’s wobble" suggest that the speaker is struggling to express their thoughts through writing. The "determined scribble" indicates a persistent effort to articulate something important, even though the speaker’s thoughts are "slipping" and "wobbling"—perhaps reflecting confusion, uncertainty, or the difficulty of making sense of complex emotions. The act of writing itself becomes a metaphor for the speaker’s attempts to understand and confront their past, even as their thoughts remain unstable and elusive.

The speaker reflects on the "painful echoing senses of trouble / I’ve caused others and cannot end now," bringing the theme of guilt into sharper focus. This confession implies that the speaker is haunted by the harm they have done to others, and the realization that these actions cannot be undone adds to their sense of remorse. The "echoing" of this pain suggests that the consequences of the speaker’s actions continue to reverberate through their life, contributing to their feelings of regret and entrapment.

The image of being "Boxed in a life too late to know other / if there was ever any other" reinforces the idea of being trapped within one’s own life and identity. The speaker seems to acknowledge that it is too late to change their life or become the "other" self they once imagined. This realization is marked by a sense of resignation, as the speaker questions whether there was ever truly another path they could have taken. The reference to a "lost tether" that "kept the other still somehow there" suggests that, even though the speaker can no longer become this alternate self, the idea of it still lingers in their mind—haunting them with possibilities that will never be realized.

The poem moves toward its conclusion with the speaker contemplating "To try now to say goodbye / as if one could try to die." These lines suggest that the speaker is grappling with the idea of letting go—of the past, of their regrets, or even of life itself. The desire to "step outside itself for a last try" implies that the speaker is searching for a final resolution, a way to escape the cycles of memory and guilt that have defined their experience. However, this desire remains ambiguous, as the speaker acknowledges the impossibility of truly stepping outside of oneself.

The final lines of the poem, "To be oneself once and for all / to look through the window and see the wall / and want no more / of anything at all beyond," capture the speaker’s ultimate desire for peace and acceptance. The longing "to be oneself once and for all" reflects the speaker’s wish to reconcile with their identity, to find a sense of finality in who they are. The image of looking through the window and seeing "the wall" suggests that the speaker is finally ready to confront the limits of their life and experience. The desire to "want no more / of anything at all beyond" conveys a sense of acceptance—of life, of death, and of the self.

In conclusion, Robert Creeley’s "Loops" is a reflective and introspective poem that explores themes of identity, memory, guilt, and acceptance. Through fragmented imagery and sparse language, Creeley captures the speaker’s struggle to come to terms with the cycles of regret and self-reflection that define their existence. The poem’s exploration of the "other" self, the passage of time, and the desire for finality culminate in a poignant meditation on the complexities of being and the difficulty of finding peace within oneself.

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