Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "Apres Anders: Late Love" encapsulates a moment of entrapment, frustration, and a profound disconnect from the surrounding world. Through a stark and vivid use of imagery, Creeley captures the essence of a relationship that seems to have run its course, the weight of stagnation, and the futility of attempts to bridge the emotional distance. The poem’s title, "Late Love," suggests a love that has arrived after its prime or perhaps one that is nearing its end, evoking a sense of finality or belatedness. This underlying theme permeates the poem, emphasizing the struggles and estrangement that characterize the relationship.

The opening line, "Stuck in her stone hut," immediately establishes a sense of confinement and rigidity. The "stone hut" evokes a place that is small, enclosed, and immovable—symbolic of an emotional state that feels similarly limited and inescapable. The word "stuck" implies a lack of progress, an inability to move forward, suggesting that the relationship has reached a point of stagnation. The image of the "stone hut" also evokes isolation, as if the characters are separated not only from each other but from the larger world as well.

"He fights to get the window up" adds a dynamic element to the poem, introducing a struggle. The effort to open the window represents a desire for change, an attempt to let in fresh air or escape from the stifling atmosphere of the hut. However, the verb "fights" implies that this effort is strenuous, perhaps even futile, reinforcing the sense of frustration. The window, which could serve as a portal to the outside world, remains resistant, reflecting the barriers that exist within the relationship—emotional walls that cannot easily be opened.

"Her loopy Dachshunds / have made off with the pupils / of his eyes" introduces an almost surreal, playful element to the poem. The "loopy Dachshunds" suggest a kind of absurdity or whimsy, yet their act of making off with the "pupils of his eyes" takes on a more symbolic meaning. The pupils, which are essential for seeing clearly, are metaphorically stolen, leaving the man unable to fully perceive or comprehend his surroundings. This could suggest that his perception has been affected by the situation he finds himself in, that his view of the world has been compromised or distorted. The use of humor—embodied in the playful Dachshunds—adds a sense of irony to the poem, highlighting the absurdity of the man';s predicament.

The phrase "like, or else / now from summit to summit / of whatever mountains" suggests an uncertainty or confusion. The man seems to be struggling to make sense of what is happening, his thoughts jumping from one possibility to another. The reference to "summit to summit" evokes a vast, mountainous landscape, contrasting sharply with the claustrophobic space of the stone hut. This juxtaposition emphasizes the distance between the man’s inner desires for freedom and the stark reality of his confinement. The phrase "whatever mountains" conveys a sense of indifference or resignation, as if the specifics no longer matter—only the feeling of distance and the impossibility of escape remain.

The line "against which / he thinks he hears the stars crash" evokes a powerful, almost cosmic image. The idea of stars crashing suggests something grand and catastrophic, as if the entire universe is in turmoil. Yet the phrase "he thinks he hears" introduces an element of doubt, implying that these crashes may be imagined rather than real. This ambiguity reinforces the sense of disorientation that permeates the poem, suggesting that the man';s perception is clouded by his emotions. The stars, often symbolic of hope or aspiration, here become symbols of chaos and collapse, reflecting the deteriorating state of the relationship.

The poem concludes with "sounds truly nada / in all the sad façade." The word "nada," meaning "nothing" in Spanish, emphasizes the emptiness that underlies the entire scene. Despite the struggle, the cosmic imagery, and the absurdity of the Dachshunds, it all amounts to "nothing." The "sad façade" suggests that what is left is merely a surface appearance, a pretense that hides the emptiness beneath. This line captures the essence of late love as portrayed in the poem—something that has lost its substance, leaving only a hollow shell.

Creeley';s "Apres Anders: Late Love" is a poignant meditation on the struggles of a relationship that seems to have lost its vitality. Through the use of vivid and often surreal imagery, Creeley conveys a sense of entrapment, frustration, and disconnection. The stone hut symbolizes the confining nature of the relationship, while the man';s struggle to open the window represents a futile attempt to bring about change. The playful yet unsettling image of the Dachshunds stealing the pupils of his eyes suggests a loss of clarity, an inability to fully perceive or engage with the world. The cosmic imagery of stars crashing adds a sense of grandeur to the man';s internal struggle, yet ultimately leads to "nada," emphasizing the emptiness that underlies the entire scene.

The poem';s fragmented, disjointed structure reflects the emotional turmoil of the speaker, mirroring the confusion and futility of his attempts to find meaning or escape. In the end, "Late Love" is a reflection on the inevitability of decline and the sad façades we construct to mask the emptiness that sometimes accompanies our closest relationships. Creeley';s minimalist language and evocative imagery create a powerful, haunting depiction of love that has lost its way, leaving only the echoes of what once was.

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