Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Robert Creeley was an American poet known for his minimalist style and his exploration of the complexities of human relationships. "Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a short poem that was published in 1962 in a collection called "For Love."

Context:

"Nathaniel Hawthorne" was written during a time when there was a renewed interest in Hawthorne and his literary legacy. The poem reflects Creeley's own admiration for Hawthorne as a writer and his contribution to American literature.

Content:

"Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a poem that reflects on memories of love and literary style. The speaker remembers an earlier conversation about the challenges of maintaining love and also recalls the advice to read Hawthorne's work for its style rather than its content. The poem suggests that both love and literature require a certain level of effort and attention to detail in order to appreciate their true value.

Form:

"Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a short poem consisting of six lines. The poem follows a simple ABABCC rhyme scheme and is written in free verse, which gives it a natural and flowing rhythm. The use of rhyme and meter creates a sense of unity and balance within the poem.

Poetic Elements:

Creeley employs a variety of poetic techniques in "Nathaniel Hawthorne," including metaphor and imagery. The use of metaphor helps to convey the idea that memories can be both fleeting and significant. The use of imagery helps to create a vivid and evocative picture of the speaker's recollections of the past.

Summary:

"Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a concise and thought-provoking poem that showcases Creeley's admiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne and his contribution to American literature. The use of metaphor and imagery creates a vivid and evocative picture of the speaker's memories and their significance. The poem's exploration of themes of love and literary style make it a relevant and engaging work. "Nathaniel Hawthorne" is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of poetry that deserves to be read and studied.

Poem Snippet:

Only the things I remember

now are the things I never

knew I had forgot—how

you said love was harder

to keep than to find, or

how Hawthorne's to be read

for style, not content.