Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley’s poem "There Is" delves into themes of presence, language, and existential disquiet, using sparse language and fragmented lines to convey a sense of ambiguity and unsettled awareness. With its minimal structure, the poem examines both the tangible and intangible aspects of existence, revealing an underlying loneliness and dissatisfaction that permeates the experience of the speaker. Through carefully chosen words and enjambed lines, Creeley creates an open-ended exploration of being, perception, and the limits of expression, much like Dante’s introspective reflections in "Purgatorio", where thoughts spiral into deeper contemplation of self and the mysteries of life.

The poem opens with a simple declaration: "There is," immediately setting a tone of observation, as if the speaker is taking stock of existence itself. This opening phrase implies a sense of discovery or realization, inviting readers to consider what "is" and what can be perceived as we move through life. The phrase "as we go we / see there" suggests an ongoing process of becoming aware, as if the act of moving forward—whether physically or mentally—reveals layers of presence and understanding. This mirrors Dante’s journey through Purgatory, where each step brings him closer to spiritual insight. In Creeley’s poem, however, this journey is grounded in a stark, almost unsettling reality, where each observation exposes a fragment of an incomplete, unfulfilled existence.

"There is / a hairy / hole" introduces a concrete yet ambiguous image that unsettles the reader. The "hairy hole" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the unknown, a primal and almost visceral void that resists easy understanding. The use of "hairy" adds a sense of roughness or discomfort, making the image both earthy and unsettling. This line evokes a sense of something that is both physical and symbolic, a void that exists within or around us that resists rationalization. It is as if the speaker has encountered a fundamental gap or absence, much like the mysteries Dante confronts in his spiritual journey. Yet here, the void seems to be unyielding, offering no clear insight or resolution, only an awareness of a dark, unexplained presence.

The next line, "there is / a darkness ex- / panded by / there is a / sense of some / imminence imman- / ence," builds on this feeling of discomfort. The phrase "a darkness expanded by" implies that this void or absence grows larger, becoming more encompassing. This "darkness" could symbolize the unknown or the unconscious, a shadow that stretches and deepens, threatening to engulf the speaker’s awareness. The juxtaposition of "imminence" and "immanence" adds to this complexity: "imminence" suggests something impending, a sense that something significant is about to occur, while "immanence" implies an inherent presence or quality within. Together, these words create a tension between what is coming and what is already here, capturing the speaker’s ambiguous sense of existence as both looming and intimate.

The line "there is / a subject placed / by the verb a / conjunction coord- / inate lines" shifts the focus from abstract, existential concerns to language itself. By breaking down grammar into its component parts—subject, verb, conjunction, coordinate lines—Creeley highlights the structure that underlies communication. This exploration of language as a framework mirrors Dante’s use of language to understand and convey his spiritual journey. However, while Dante finds language as a vehicle for meaning, Creeley’s examination of grammar seems to reveal its limits, as if these linguistic structures only partially capture the complexity of feeling and perception. The breaking of "coordinate" across two lines disrupts the coherence of even this fundamental grammatical concept, suggesting that language itself is insufficient to fully express the nuanced, "indeterminate feelings" the speaker experiences.

The next lines—"a graph of indeterminate / feelings there is"—present language and perception as an unfinished graph, a visualization of emotions that cannot be clearly defined. This "graph of indeterminate feelings" suggests an attempt to categorize or map out emotions, yet the word "indeterminate" implies that these feelings defy strict categorization. Much like Dante’s wandering thoughts that lead him deeper into introspection, Creeley’s exploration of feelings here acknowledges that some emotions remain unresolved and unfixed, unable to be pinned down by linguistic structures or rational analysis.

In the final lines, Creeley brings the tone to a melancholy close: "sorry for itself / lonely generally / unhappy in its / circumstances." This stark ending reveals an undercurrent of despair that runs throughout the poem. The phrase "sorry for itself" conveys a self-reflective sadness, a sense of regret or inadequacy. The speaker’s perception of existence—expressed through "lonely generally / unhappy in its / circumstances"—captures a sense of isolation and dissatisfaction, as if all these fragments of perception and language have led only to a recognition of discontent. This sentiment recalls Dante’s own struggles in Purgatory, where he encounters souls burdened by regret and yearning. However, while Dante’s journey moves toward redemption, Creeley’s speaker remains in a state of unresolved melancholy, unable to escape the limits of language and self-reflection.

Structurally, "There Is" uses fragmented lines and enjambment to create a sense of discontinuity, as if each observation or thought exists in isolation. This disjointed form reflects the speaker’s fragmented understanding of existence, where each perception feels incomplete and disconnected from a coherent whole. Creeley’s use of minimal language and open space on the page allows each word or phrase to resonate individually, creating a contemplative rhythm that mirrors the process of introspection.

Through "There Is," Creeley meditates on the presence of intangible voids, the limitations of language, and the persistent loneliness that defines much of human experience. The poem’s fragmented structure and elusive imagery suggest that understanding is always partial, that language can only approximate the complex and often painful reality of existence. By juxtaposing images of physical emptiness and grammatical structures, Creeley underscores the inadequacy of language to fully capture or resolve the human condition. In the end, "There Is" leaves the reader with a lingering sense of incompleteness, an awareness that beneath the layers of perception and language lies a fundamental loneliness, an existential darkness that resists clear definition or escape.

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