Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "Heavy" combines dark humor, absurdity, and a reflection on the human experience of dealing with problems both large and small. The poem’s title, "Heavy," is a fitting description of the themes explored, as it contemplates the weight of life’s burdens, from the grotesque and physical to the mundane and social. Creeley’s use of a conversational tone and imagery rooted in everyday life creates an accessible yet thought-provoking meditation on how we cope with challenges, often with a blend of resignation and irony.

The poem begins with a "Friend’s story of dead whale on California beach," immediately drawing the reader into an anecdotal narrative. This opening line suggests that the speaker is recounting something second-hand, which adds an element of detachment or distance. The image of a dead whale washed up on a beach is both striking and grotesque, serving as a metaphor for an overwhelming and unavoidable problem. The fact that the whale is dead—a massive, inert object—implies that it is something that cannot be easily dealt with or ignored. Its presence looms large, demanding attention and action.

Creeley continues with the description of how "the people blow up [the whale] to get rid of" it, introducing an absurd and darkly comedic element. The decision to blow up the whale suggests both a practical solution and a reckless or misguided one. Rather than trying to remove the whale in a more controlled manner, the people choose a drastic approach, and the consequences of this decision are, predictably, disastrous. The phrase "for weeks after they’re wiping the putrescent meat off their feet" paints a vivid, revolting picture of the aftermath. The word "putrescent" emphasizes the decaying, foul nature of the whale’s remains, which linger long after the explosion.

This grotesque image of people dealing with the fallout from their drastic solution serves as a metaphor for how humans often approach their problems. In attempting to rid themselves of something overwhelming, they end up creating more mess and complication, with the residue of their actions sticking to them long after the original issue should have been resolved. The image of wiping decayed whale meat off their feet becomes a symbol of the ongoing consequences of hasty or poorly thought-out solutions to life’s challenges.

The speaker then pivots with the phrase, "like, and if that’s a heavy one, consider Meese," introducing another layer to the poem’s exploration of burdens. The casual, almost offhand use of "like" marks a shift in tone, from the specific anecdote of the whale to a more philosophical rumination. "Meese" likely refers to William S. Meese, an American judge involved in various legal controversies, though it can also be read as a general reference to anyone entangled in bureaucratic or societal struggles. By bringing in "Meese," Creeley introduces a broader context of societal and institutional burdens, suggesting that the "heavy" burdens of life are not confined to personal or physical challenges but extend into the realms of politics, law, and social order.

The poem’s focus then shifts to more everyday nuisances: "what it takes to get rid of mice / and lice and just the nice people next door, oh yeah . . ." Here, Creeley contrasts the larger, more absurd example of the dead whale with smaller, more relatable problems. Mice and lice are common, pest-like issues, minor in comparison to a dead whale but nonetheless irritating and persistent. The mention of "just the nice people next door" adds a humorous and ironic twist. The idea that even "nice people" can be burdensome reflects the complexity of human relationships, where even seemingly pleasant aspects of life can become sources of stress or annoyance.

The phrase "oh yeah . . ." at the end of the poem adds a conversational, resigned tone. It conveys a sense of weariness, as if the speaker is acknowledging that life is full of these endless, varied burdens, from the absurd and extreme to the mundane and irritating. The ellipsis suggests that the list of problems could go on indefinitely, reinforcing the idea that life’s heaviness is inescapable and multifaceted.

Creeley’s use of humor throughout the poem is critical to its impact. The absurdity of blowing up a whale and the exaggerated comparison to dealing with mice, lice, and neighbors create a sense of levity, even as the poem grapples with serious themes of struggle and frustration. The humor allows the reader to engage with the poem’s darker elements without being overwhelmed by them, offering a way to reflect on life’s burdens with a sense of detachment or bemusement.

Structurally, the poem’s conversational tone and lack of formal punctuation create a fluid, almost stream-of-consciousness flow. The use of enjambment allows the lines to spill into one another, mimicking the way thoughts and problems can pile up in real life. The poem’s fragmented structure reflects the chaotic, often unpredictable nature of the challenges we face, from the trivial to the catastrophic.

In "Heavy," Creeley masterfully blends absurdity and insight to explore the ways in which we deal with life’s inevitable burdens. The poem suggests that whether we are grappling with overwhelming, whale-sized problems or the more ordinary irritations of everyday life, the weight of these challenges is undeniable. Yet, Creeley’s use of humor and casual language invites us to consider these burdens with a sense of irony, acknowledging that while life may be heavy, it is also full of absurdities that we can laugh at, even as we continue to carry the weight.

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