Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

THE BUSINESS, by ROBERT CREELEY Recitation by Author Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"The Business" by Robert Creeley presents a nuanced exploration of love's complexities, likening the experience to venturing outside to gauge the day's character. This analogy beautifully encapsulates the poem's core theme: love's uncertainty and the inherent risks and gambles involved in its pursuit. Creeley's work is distinguished by its concise language and profound insight into human emotions, and this poem is no exception. Through a blend of personal introspection and broader reflections on human interactions, Creeley delves into the nature of love, risk, and the human condition.

The opening lines, "To be in love is like going outside to see what kind of day it is," instantly draw a parallel between the act of loving and the everyday experience of stepping outside. This comparison suggests that just as one might step outside to understand the weather, being in love involves exposing oneself to the external world of another person's emotions and responses. It's a venture into uncertainty, a theme that permeates the poem. The weather, much like love, is unpredictable and can change, reflecting the unpredictable nature of human relationships.

Creeley then shifts the narrative to a dialogue on proof and the validation of love's reciprocity, encapsulated in the lines, "Do not mistake me. If you love her how prove she loves also, except that it occurs, a remote chance on which you stake yourself?" Here, the poet underscores the difficulty of confirming mutual love, suggesting that its existence is often taken on faith, or a "remote chance." This idea speaks to the vulnerability and courage required to love, where assurance is scarce, and the leap of faith is substantial. Love is presented as an investment of the self, where the returns are uncertain yet deeply sought after.

The mention of "barter for the Iridian" introduces a historical or metaphorical layer, implying a transactional element in human connections. This reference can be seen as a contrast to the intangible, risk-laden nature of love. Whereas trade, exemplified by the bartering for Iridian, a presumably valuable material, is grounded in tangible exchanges and records, love operates on a different plane, one that lacks concrete evidence and often defies logical reasoning. The juxtaposition of love's intangibility with the materiality of trade highlights the poem's exploration of value, risk, and the leap of faith inherent in emotional investments.

Creeley's style, marked by its brevity and precision, allows for a dense layering of meanings and implications within a few lines. His use of simple language to convey complex emotional states and philosophical queries demonstrates his mastery of the poetic form. The poem's structure, devoid of any strict rhyme scheme or consistent meter, mirrors the unpredictability and fluidity of the subject matter—love and human interaction.

In essence, "The Business" by Robert Creeley is a profound meditation on the nature of love, risk, and the human desire for connection and understanding. Through the metaphor of stepping outside to assess the day, Creeley captures the vulnerability and uncertainty of love, contrasting it with the tangible certainty of material transactions. The poem invites readers to reflect on the value and cost of emotional investment, emphasizing love's intangible, often inexplicable nature. Creeley's work continues to resonate for its insightful examination of the human condition, offering a lens through which to view our deepest emotions and the complexities of our relationships.

POEM TEXT:

To be in love is like going out-

side to see what kind of day

it is. Do not

mistake me. If you love

her how prove she

loves also, except that it

occurs, a remote chance on

which you stake

yourself?

But barter for the

Indian was a means of sustenance.