Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s "Meat" is a visceral and relentless meditation on the omnipresence of "it"—a force that permeates every aspect of life, from the physical to the existential. The poem’s repetition and minimalist structure create an atmosphere of suffocation and inevitability, where "it" becomes an inescapable entity that invades every thought, action, and memory. Through this relentless repetition, Creeley explores themes of consumption, desire, mortality, and the futility of trying to escape from the overwhelming presence of "it."

The poem begins with the stark image of "Blood’s on the edge of it / the man with the knife cuts into it," immediately invoking a scene of violence, perhaps in a butcher’s shop or a similar setting where meat is prepared. The "it" in these opening lines is literal—meat, a physical substance cut and bled by the man with the knife. The imagery of blood and cutting introduces a sense of brutality, suggesting that "it" is not just a neutral object but something that has been slaughtered or harmed. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where "it" becomes symbolic of everything that is unavoidable, raw, and inescapable in life.

As the poem progresses, "it" takes on a broader, more abstract meaning. The lines "the way out is via the door to it / the moves you have mean nothing to it" suggest that no matter what actions or strategies one employs, there is no escaping "it." The door that might offer a way out simply leads back to "it," and the speaker’s movements or efforts are meaningless in the face of its overwhelming presence. This sense of futility builds throughout the poem, as the speaker becomes increasingly trapped in a world defined by "it."

The repetition of "it" throughout the poem creates a sense of suffocation, as if the speaker is being slowly consumed or overwhelmed by its presence. The lines "but you can’t get away from it / there’s nothing else left but it" emphasize this inescapability. "It" is everywhere, and there is nothing beyond its reach. This relentless focus on "it" suggests that the speaker is grappling with something fundamental and all-encompassing, perhaps a representation of mortality, desire, or existential angst.

The physicality of "it" is emphasized in lines like "this room is thick with it / this air smells of it / your hands are full of it / your mouth is full of it." Here, "it" is not just an abstract concept but something tangible, something that permeates the speaker’s environment and body. The smell, the touch, the taste of "it" are all present, suggesting that "it" is something deeply ingrained in the physical world, impossible to separate from daily life. The sensory overload in these lines evokes a sense of claustrophobia, as if the speaker is being smothered by "it" and has no way to escape.

The question "why did you want so much of it" introduces an element of self-reflection, as the speaker seems to acknowledge their own role in seeking or desiring "it." This moment of introspection suggests that "it" may represent something the speaker once craved but has now become overwhelmed by—perhaps an insatiable desire, addiction, or a yearning for something unattainable. The following line, "when will you quit it," implies that there is a struggle to break free from "it," but the question remains unanswered, reinforcing the sense of entrapment.

As the poem continues, "it" becomes even more abstract and omnipresent. The lines "all this racket is still it / all that sky is it / that little spot is it" suggest that "it" encompasses everything, from the noise in the speaker’s environment to the vastness of the sky. Even the smallest, most insignificant details—a "little spot"—are part of "it." This expansion of "it" to include both the vast and the minute reinforces the idea that there is no escaping its presence.

The final section of the poem shifts from the physical to the mental and existential realms. The lines "what you still can think of is it / anything you remember is it / all you ever got done is always it" suggest that "it" is not just a part of the external world but also infiltrates the speaker’s thoughts, memories, and actions. Everything the speaker has ever done, thought, or remembered is tied to "it." This all-encompassing nature of "it" suggests that it may represent something fundamental to human existence—perhaps the inevitability of death or the inescapable nature of human desire.

The poem concludes with a series of finalities: "your last words will be it / your last wish will be it / The last echo it last faint color it / the drip the trace the stain—it." These lines emphasize that "it" will persist until the very end of life. The repetition of "last" underscores the finality of the speaker’s situation, suggesting that "it" will be present in their final thoughts, their last desires, and even in the traces they leave behind. The image of "the drip the trace the stain" evokes a sense of something lingering and permanent, as if "it" will leave a mark long after the speaker is gone.

Structurally, "Meat" follows Creeley’s characteristic use of short, enjambed lines that create a sense of immediacy and urgency. The repetition of "it" throughout the poem creates a rhythmic, almost hypnotic effect, reinforcing the idea that "it" is inescapable and ever-present. The lack of punctuation in many places allows the poem to flow continuously, mirroring the relentless nature of "it."

Thematically, the poem explores the inescapability of desire, consumption, and mortality. The repetition of "it" suggests that these forces are fundamental to human existence, impossible to escape or ignore. Whether "it" represents death, desire, or the burdens of life, the poem portrays a world where everything is consumed by this omnipresent force, leaving the speaker trapped in a cycle they cannot break.

In conclusion, Robert Creeley’s "Meat" is a powerful meditation on the all-encompassing nature of "it"—a force that invades every aspect of life, from the physical to the existential. Through repetitive, minimalist language and visceral imagery, the poem explores themes of consumption, desire, and mortality, portraying a world where escape is impossible and everything is ultimately reduced to "it." The relentless repetition and stark imagery create a sense of suffocation and inevitability, leaving the reader to confront the overwhelming presence of "it" in their own lives.

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