Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s "Moment" is a succinct yet profound meditation on time, mortality, and the inevitable end that awaits everyone. Through sparse language and vivid imagery, the poem delves into the existential dilemma of how time is perceived and used, as well as the commonality of death. The poem’s contemplation of the graveyard serves as a powerful metaphor for the inevitability of death, while the speaker’s musings on time reflect a tension between living with purpose and the awareness of life's finite nature.

The opening lines, "Whether to use time, or to kill time, either still preys on my mind," immediately introduce the poem’s central concern: the relationship between time and consciousness. The choice between "using" time and "killing" time speaks to the larger question of how one lives their life. To "use" time implies productivity, purpose, and meaning, while to "kill" time suggests idleness, distraction, or perhaps a way to avoid confronting deeper realities. However, both choices "prey" on the speaker’s mind, suggesting that neither offers a perfect solution. The word "preys" conveys a sense of anxiety or unease, as if the speaker is haunted by the passage of time and the implications of how it is spent.

The phrase "One's come now to the graveyard, where the bones of the dead are" marks a shift from contemplation of time to a confrontation with death. The graveyard serves as a symbolic destination where all lives, no matter how time was used or killed, ultimately converge. The bones in the graveyard represent the physical remnants of the dead, stripped of individuality and purpose. The image of the graveyard evokes a sense of finality and inevitability, reinforcing the idea that death is the ultimate end point for all. The speaker’s arrival at this place signals a moment of reflection, where the abstract concerns about time and existence meet the stark reality of mortality.

The line "All roads have come here, truly common" suggests that death is the great equalizer, a shared destination for all regardless of how they lived their lives. The metaphor of roads converging at the graveyard emphasizes the universality of death—no matter what paths people take, they all lead to the same endpoint. The phrase "truly common" underscores the fact that death is a shared human experience, stripping away distinctions of status, wealth, or achievement. In this sense, the poem suggests that while people may approach life differently—choosing to use time purposefully or kill it idly—they all arrive at the same destination.

However, the final lines introduce a subtle complexity: "except the body is moved, still, to some other use." This line can be interpreted in a number of ways. On one level, it suggests the physical reality of burial or decomposition, where the body, after death, is returned to the earth and becomes part of a larger natural cycle. The body is "moved" to "some other use," perhaps suggesting a transformation in which the physical remains of the dead contribute to the environment or serve a different purpose in nature. This could evoke a sense of continuity, where even in death, the body finds a new function.

On a more metaphorical level, the phrase might suggest that even after death, individuals are remembered, mourned, or their lives are interpreted in new ways by those left behind. In this sense, the "use" of the body after death could refer to the legacy or impact a person leaves behind—how their life continues to affect others even after they are gone. This adds a layer of meaning to the poem’s exploration of time: while death is inevitable, the way a person’s life is remembered or utilized after their death may still hold significance.

Structurally, "Moment" follows Creeley’s typical use of short, enjambed lines that create a sense of immediacy and directness. The poem’s brevity and straightforward language mirror the fleeting nature of the "moment" described in the title—a brief but powerful instance of reflection on life, time, and death. The lack of punctuation further enhances the fluidity of the speaker’s thoughts, as they move from one idea to the next without pause, much like the relentless passage of time itself.

Thematically, the poem grapples with the tension between living with purpose and the inescapability of death. The speaker’s contemplation of how to "use" or "kill" time reflects a broader existential question about the meaning of life in the face of mortality. The graveyard serves as a reminder that death is the common end for all, yet the final line hints at the possibility of transformation or continuation, even in death. The poem ultimately invites readers to reflect on how they use their own time, knowing that all roads lead to the same destination.

In conclusion, Robert Creeley’s "Moment" is a contemplative meditation on time, mortality, and the universality of death. Through sparse language and powerful imagery, the poem explores the dilemma of how to live meaningfully in the face of an inevitable end. The graveyard serves as both a literal and metaphorical destination, reminding the speaker—and the reader—that death is the common fate for all, regardless of how time is spent. Yet the final line offers a subtle suggestion that even in death, there may be a transformation or continuation, inviting readers to consider the lasting impact of their lives.

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