Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s "News of the World" is a sobering commentary on the complexity and chaos of contemporary global events, conveyed through a fragmented series of headlines and reflections. In a rapid succession of facts, observations, and snippets from news reports, the poem captures the overwhelming nature of a world filled with both small and large crises, each of which adds to an accumulating sense of tragedy and injustice. Through the juxtaposition of global issues—human rights, political relationships, personal survival, and criminal intrigue—Creeley underscores the relentless barrage of information and the inherent difficulty in comprehending or acting upon such vast suffering and corruption.

The poem opens with "Topical questions, as the world swirls," establishing the sense that these issues are both current and ever-changing. The world is depicted as a place of constant motion and confusion, with each piece of news reflecting a particular reality but ultimately part of a larger, chaotic whole. The phrase "never enough in hand, head, to know" suggests the insufficiency of human understanding when faced with the enormity of global issues. This limitation underscores the speaker’s sense of helplessness; while the news provides an endless stream of events, it offers little guidance on how to meaningfully engage with or make sense of them.

Creeley introduces a pointed reference to Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s assertion that he might become "Jimmy Carter’s best friend." This unexpected proclamation is laden with irony, as Amin’s brutal regime was notorious for human rights abuses. The absurdity of the idea that Amin could become Carter’s “best friend” highlights the disconnect between political posturing and ethical action, as if the theater of diplomacy belies the actual atrocities occurring on the ground. This reference raises questions about the nature of international relationships and the hypocrisy often present in political alliances, where words and intentions do not necessarily align with realities or values.

The poem then shifts to stark statistics and stories of human suffering: "1/5 of world’s population has no access to processed drinking water," and "women in rural Burma walk 15 miles a day to get some and bring it home, a six hour trip." These facts serve as a reminder of the basic needs that remain unmet for millions of people around the world, highlighting the contrast between the privileged observer of the news and those who live the harsh realities the news describes. The repetition of these statistics reinforces the scale of the crisis and the sense that such suffering has become almost normalized, reduced to just another headline or factoid in a sea of distressing information.

The story of "Romania’s earthquake dead" introduces a deeply personal note amidst the statistics. The words of survivor Sorin Crainic, "What day is today and how are my parents?" convey the individual human experiences behind every tragedy. Crainic’s words reveal the desperation and hope that sustained him during eleven days trapped in rubble, as well as the basic desires that emerge in times of crisis: to reconnect with loved ones and to return to life’s simple pleasures, like "breathe fresh air, much fresh air." This personal story within the broader narrative of disaster emphasizes the endurance and resilience of the human spirit, while also underscoring how individuals are often lost within the larger narratives of global suffering.

The poem then shifts to political corruption and criminal intrigue with the reference to "Goldwater Denounces Report Linking Him To Gang Figures." This piece of news hints at the shadowy intersections between politics, wealth, and organized crime. The involvement of journalists in the investigation, particularly "continuing work begun by reporter Don Bolles . . . who was murdered last June," adds a layer of danger and martyrdom, suggesting the risks journalists take in the pursuit of truth and the systemic challenges they face. The image of Bolles’s death as a point of continuity—where journalists carry on his work even after his murder—reflects both the persistence of injustice and the tenacity of those who seek to expose it, though the task may feel "too late, too little."

The concluding lines—"But not for you, Mr. G., as hate grows, lies, the same investment of the nice and tidy ways to get 'rich,' in this 'world,' wer eld, the length of a human life."—bring a sense of cynicism and disillusionment to the poem’s closing. Addressing "Mr. G." (possibly Goldwater or a symbolic figure representing the wealthy and powerful), Creeley condemns the greed and deceit that fuel political and economic corruption. The phrase "hate grows, lies" evokes a sense of moral decay, as if the fabric of society is fraying under the weight of avarice and deception. The line, "the same investment of the nice and tidy ways to get 'rich,'" reflects Creeley’s critique of the exploitative systems that enable some individuals to accumulate wealth at the expense of the vulnerable.

Structurally, "News of the World" employs fragmented language and abrupt shifts in subject, mirroring the overwhelming and disjointed nature of modern news consumption. The rapid movement between topics—from water scarcity to an earthquake survivor to political scandal—mimics the experience of reading a newspaper or watching a news broadcast, where global tragedies and personal stories appear side-by-side, with little coherence beyond their shared existence within the world’s chaos. This structure reinforces the poem’s themes of fragmentation and disorientation, as if the barrage of information ultimately alienates the observer from the very issues they are witnessing.

Thematically, "News of the World" explores the limits of understanding and empathy in the face of overwhelming global suffering. The poem reflects a sense of helplessness and frustration, capturing the paradox of being informed yet unable to affect meaningful change. By presenting these events as part of a continuous, swirling narrative, Creeley suggests that each tragedy or scandal, no matter how disturbing, becomes just another piece of an incomprehensibly large puzzle. This depiction raises questions about the purpose of awareness and the ethical implications of bearing witness to suffering without a clear path to action.

In conclusion, Robert Creeley’s "News of the World" is a powerful exploration of the chaos, tragedy, and complexity that characterize the modern global landscape. Through fragmented imagery and a mix of personal and statistical observations, Creeley captures the overwhelming nature of contemporary news and the challenges of making sense of a world marked by suffering, injustice, and systemic corruption. The poem’s critique of political hypocrisy, human rights abuses, and the moral decay associated with wealth accumulation underscores the existential tension between knowing and acting. Ultimately, "News of the World" presents a vision of a fractured and troubled humanity, where the weight of awareness is both a burden and a call to reflection on our shared responsibility within an often-unfathomable world.

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