Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "I Love You," Robert Creeley crafts a deeply personal poem that pays homage to a figure named Aunt Bernice. The poem reflects on themes of memory, time, affection, and the intertwining of everyday reality with the broader significance of personal relationships. As with many of Creeley’s works, the language is deceptively simple, yet it resonates with a profound emotional undercurrent. The conversational tone of the poem creates an intimate dialogue between the speaker and the memory of Aunt Bernice, evoking feelings of gratitude, admiration, and a bittersweet sense of longing.

The poem opens with the speaker directly addressing Aunt Bernice, evoking her presence in the line, I see you, Aunt Bernice—" which suggests that her memory is still vivid and immediate to him. The mention of her smile anticipating reality" hints at Bernice’s perceptiveness and perhaps a certain acceptance or awareness of life’s unfolding events. This phrase also suggests a readiness or resilience, as though her smile was a preemptive embrace of whatever life had to offer. The speaker’s remark about not caring that she’s older signals an acknowledgment of the passage of time and an acceptance of aging, both his own and Bernice’s, without letting it diminish the value of the bond they shared.

The line, There are times all the time the same," conveys a sense of repetitiveness and continuity in the speaker’s life, hinting at a blend of past and present where certain experiences or emotions persist unchanged. This phrase can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of how moments and memories endure, even as life moves forward. It echoes the continuity of the connection between the speaker and Bernice, which remains undiminished by time or distance. This line also speaks to the inevitability of recurring memories, moments, or emotions that shape one’s understanding of relationships and life.

The speaker describes himself as "a young old man here on earth," a line that suggests a merging of youthful sensibility with the wisdom or weariness of age. Creeley’s use of paradox in this line encapsulates a broader theme of the poem—the tension between different stages of life and the emotions that transcend them. By juxtaposing youth with age, the speaker seems to recognize that, in his current state, he embodies a mixture of the past and present, shaped by the people and experiences he has known. This line is followed by a list of elemental, natural, and human elements—"sticks, dust, rain, trees, people,"—which roots the speaker’s experience firmly in the physical world, emphasizing a connection to the environment and to the everyday.

The poem takes a moment to celebrate a memory of Bernice’s cat, Pete, whose ability to "kill rats in Florida" is described as "incredible." This recollection, though seemingly mundane, highlights the vividness with which the speaker remembers even small details about Aunt Bernice’s life and surroundings. The description of Pete as a "weird, sweet presence. Strong," suggests a fondness for the cat’s unique personality and resilience. By recounting this memory, the speaker conveys his admiration for both Bernice and the world she inhabited, demonstrating how even the smallest aspects of someone’s life can hold significance and evoke strong emotions.

Creeley shifts the tone slightly when he acknowledges that Bernice was "good to me," an expression of gratitude that implies a deep appreciation for her kindness and influence in his life. This simple, direct statement is followed by a line that places her wit above all other "human possibility." This high praise indicates the speaker’s deep admiration for Bernice’s intelligence and character, emphasizing that her ability to find humor and value in life was something exceptional. Her wit, in this context, represents a form of wisdom or resilience that the speaker cherishes and regards as invaluable.

The poem continues with a brief, tender observation: "You could smile at the kids, the old cars." Here, the speaker notes Bernice’s ability to find joy in ordinary moments and everyday encounters. Smiling at "the kids" suggests a warmth and openness, while smiling at "the old cars" indicates a capacity to appreciate things that others might overlook or take for granted. In this small detail, Creeley captures Bernice’s disposition—her attentiveness to life’s passing moments and her capacity to find happiness in simplicity.

The final line of the poem, "Your house in N.H. was lovely," serves as a quiet and understated conclusion. The speaker’s description of Bernice’s house as "lovely" reflects not just the physical appearance of the place, but also the feelings of comfort and beauty that the house evoked for him. By ending the poem with this image, Creeley reinforces the idea that Bernice’s presence and influence continue to linger in the speaker’s mind, tied to specific places and moments that hold deep emotional significance.

The structure of "I Love You" mirrors the speaker’s wandering thoughts and memories, moving fluidly from one recollection to another without a strict narrative order. This stream-of-consciousness style creates an intimate, conversational tone, as if the speaker is sharing memories in an informal, reflective way. The lack of punctuation in some places and the enjambment between lines add to the fluidity of the poem, allowing the thoughts to flow naturally, unrestrained by rigid structure. This choice of form and style enhances the poem’s emotional resonance, inviting the reader to experience the memories as if they were their own.

In "I Love You," Creeley presents a heartfelt tribute to a significant figure in the speaker’s life, capturing the nuances of memory, affection, and the passage of time. Through simple yet evocative language, he explores the ways in which personal connections shape one’s understanding of the world, even as the specifics of those relationships remain unique to each individual. The poem’s reflections on Bernice’s kindness, wit, and ability to find joy in small things convey a sense of reverence and admiration, revealing the depth of the speaker’s love and gratitude. Creeley’s minimalist approach allows these emotions to come through with clarity and sincerity, creating a powerful and enduring expression of remembrance and affection.

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