Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Sick," Robert Creeley conveys a visceral sense of discomfort and emotional weight through the stark line, “Belly’s full of rubble.” With just a few words, Creeley creates a powerful image that suggests both physical illness and a deeper, metaphorical burden. The word “belly” immediately connects the reader to the body, grounding the poem in a tangible, sensory experience. By describing it as “full of rubble,” Creeley evokes an image of brokenness and ruin within the body, as though something has collapsed internally.

“Rubble” typically refers to fragments left behind after destruction, such as pieces of stone or debris from a demolished building. By using this word to describe what fills the belly, Creeley implies that the speaker is carrying the remnants of something once whole but now shattered. This could represent emotional turmoil, trauma, or unresolved issues that weigh heavily on the individual, creating a feeling of internal decay or collapse. The rubble inside the belly suggests a state of disarray, as if the speaker’s inner world is fragmented and in need of rebuilding or cleansing.

The poem’s brevity and simplicity mirror the heaviness it describes; there is no embellishment or distraction, only the raw statement of feeling. In this way, "Sick" resonates as a powerful meditation on suffering and the accumulation of emotional “rubble” that one might carry within. It reflects how past pains or unresolved conflicts can weigh down the spirit, creating a sense of heaviness and discomfort that is difficult to articulate but palpable in its impact. This concise piece captures the essence of internal suffering, using the metaphor of physical fullness to suggest the overwhelming presence of unresolved inner conflict.

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