Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Wicker Basket" is a poem by Robert Creeley that was first published in 1962. The poem describes a scene in which the speaker sees a wicker basket and reflects on the objects and memories it contains.

Explanation:

The poem begins with the speaker describing a wicker basket, which is filled with objects such as "books, papers, debris." The speaker then reflects on the memories associated with these objects, which range from "jokes and wisdom" to "blood and tears." The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging the passage of time and the inevitability of death, but also expressing a sense of acceptance and peace.

Poetic Elements:

• Form: The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is structured as a series of short stanzas that build on one another, with a clear narrative arc.
• Imagery: The poem contains vivid sensory imagery that emphasizes the variety and complexity of the objects in the wicker basket, and the memories they evoke. The imagery is often abstract and metaphorical, highlighting the emotional resonance of the objects rather than their physical properties.
• Tone: The tone of the poem is contemplative and reflective, with a sense of nostalgia and sadness underlying the speaker's words. However, the poem also contains a note of acceptance and peace, suggesting that the speaker has come to terms with the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
• Theme: The poem explores the themes of memory, mortality, and acceptance. The poem emphasizes the power of objects to evoke memories and emotions, and the importance of coming to terms with the passage of time and the inevitability of death.

Conclusion:

"A Wicker Basket" is a powerful meditation on memory, mortality, and acceptance. The poem uses vivid sensory imagery and language to convey the speaker's reflections on the objects in the wicker basket and the memories they evoke. The poem highlights the importance of coming to terms with the passage of time and the inevitability of death, while also emphasizing the emotional resonance of objects and memories. Ultimately, the poem is a reminder of the power of memory and the importance of embracing life in all its complexity and richness.

Poem Snippet:

"In the wicker basket

on the porch, new edition

of old wives, soapstone

lion lying on its side, sage

joke, remnant of dream,

blood and tears."

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