Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Problem," Robert Creeley captures a simple moment of observation layered with a quiet complexity. The poem describes a man sitting on the porch with his wife in Grand-Case, Saint Martin, watching a small rowboat tugging at its mooring. The language is sparse, with an economy of words that reflects both the immediacy and the deeper undercurrents of the moment. The setting—a peaceful afternoon in the French West Indies—suggests tranquility, yet the title, "Problem," hints at something unsettled or unresolved beneath the surface.

The opening line, “He can say, I am watching a boat tug / at its mooring,” establishes a reflective tone. The phrase “He can say” introduces a sense of detachment, as though the speaker is observing himself from a distance. This self-aware language hints at an internal dialogue, as if the speaker is trying to reassure himself of the reality of the moment by narrating it. The image of the boat “tugging” at its mooring becomes a subtle metaphor for a restrained restlessness, suggesting a desire for movement or freedom that is held back. This tension between movement and stasis reflects a broader existential question, where the act of “watching” becomes a stand-in for observing one’s own life and limitations.

The specificity of time—“It is almost / three in the / afternoon”—emphasizes the immediacy of the moment, anchoring the scene in a precise temporal setting. This detail, however, also contributes to the sense of transience, as “almost three” implies an in-between state, a moment that is slipping away even as it is being noticed. Time here is both exact and fleeting, underscoring the passage of moments that can only be observed but not fully grasped. The specificity contrasts with the timeless quality of the scene, where the repetitive motion of the boat and the stillness of sitting on a porch create a sense of continuity, as if the couple’s experience is both deeply present and perpetually recurring.

The line “Myself / and my wife are / sitting on the porch” introduces the speaker’s companion, grounding the scene in shared experience. The presence of his wife adds a layer of intimacy, suggesting a quiet companionship in which both individuals are engaged in the act of watching. However, the simplicity of “Myself / and my wife” leaves their relationship open to interpretation, as if the closeness is defined by the act of sitting together rather than by any explicit connection. This understated mention of the wife implies a familiarity that requires no embellishment, as though their bond is expressed through shared silence and mutual observation.

The location—“a house in Grand- / Case, Saint Martin, / French West Indies”—provides a sense of place that evokes a picturesque, almost idyllic setting. However, the exotic specificity of Grand-Case contrasts with the ordinariness of the activity, as though the location is incidental to the speaker’s focus. This blend of the exotic and the mundane reflects Creeley’s ability to find significance in simple moments, where location and context serve to heighten the speaker’s introspection rather than to define it. The setting becomes part of the moment’s texture, grounding it in a particular reality while also highlighting the universal nature of the experience.

The final line—“and he says it”—reinforces the sense of self-observation that permeates the poem. By narrating his own actions in the third person, the speaker creates a layer of separation between himself and his experience, as though he is both participant and observer. This dual perspective emphasizes the internal “problem” of being fully present while simultaneously reflecting on one’s own presence. The act of “saying it” becomes a way of anchoring the moment, as if by articulating the scene, the speaker seeks to affirm its reality and his place within it. However, this act of self-narration also suggests a slight detachment, a sense that even in the midst of a peaceful scene, the speaker remains at a distance from his own experience.

In "Problem," Robert Creeley captures the subtle tension between presence and detachment, illustrating the complexity of self-awareness in a seemingly simple moment. Through minimalist language and a restrained observational tone, Creeley evokes the nuances of time, place, and companionship, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of existence and the quiet struggles that underlie everyday life. The poem’s title, "Problem," suggests an internal conflict or question that remains unspoken, leaving readers to consider the layered meanings beneath the surface of this tranquil scene. Ultimately, "Problem" is a meditation on the challenges of fully inhabiting one’s life, where moments of connection are tempered by the inevitability of introspection and self-questioning.

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