Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"A Tally" by Robert Creeley is a profound meditation on self-reflection, aging, and the accumulation of life experiences. The poem navigates through the complexities of memory, the passage of time, and the introspective understanding of one's existence. Through this journey, Creeley touches on themes of love, identity, and the impermanence of the physical body, all while maintaining a focus on the inner workings of the mind and the emotions.

The poem opens with "A tally of forces, consequent memories, of times and places—" suggesting an inventory or accounting of life's experiences, both external and internal. This enumeration sets the stage for a contemplation of how past events and the places we've been shape our present selves. The "habits of preparation at other points of time and place" imply the routines and practices developed over a lifetime, highlighting the cyclical nature of existence where the past informs the present and future.

"And the hand found the fingers still on it, moved the thumb, easily, to the forefinger, still worked." This observation of simple physical movement becomes a metaphor for continuity and the ability to act, despite the passage of time and the changes it brings. It's a testament to the persistence of life and capability, even as one ages.

The poem then delves into a more abstract reflection on self-awareness and the need for "occasion" or context to truly understand oneself, particularly as one confronts aging and seeks a new measure of identity beyond youth. This quest for understanding is likened to looking into a mirror, using the metaphor of the mind as reflective, pondering the delay in thought to "savor terms of the impression." This introspection offers a reassessment of past judgments, suggesting that things may not be as dire as once thought, but also recognizing the complexity of situations beyond simple analogies like "the boat is leaking."

Creeley's assertion "I don't know how, I only live here, with the body I walk in" speaks to the existential condition of inhabiting a physical form, of being present in the world without fully understanding the how or why of existence. This statement grounds the poem in the physical reality of being, even as it explores the intangible aspects of thought and emotion.

The declaration of love, "Hence I love you, I did, do," and the reflection on the changing nature of this love over time, underscores the poem's exploration of the enduring yet evolving nature of emotional connections. The contrast between the constancy of love and the temporal nature of existence—marked by the transition from daylight to dark—highlights the poem's thematic concern with the passage of time and the fluidity of memory and emotion.

"A Tally" closes with a contemplation of commitment and the deliberate choice not to let anger or past grievances destroy what has been built, despite acknowledging the "dereliction of fleshy duties." This nuanced understanding of relationships and the self's place within them reflects a mature acceptance of life's imperfections and the complexities of human connections.

Throughout "A Tally," Creeley crafts a layered and introspective narrative that invites readers to consider their own accumulations of experience, the continual process of self-reflection, and the ways in which love and memory intertwine within the tapestry of life. The poem is a reflective journey through the landscapes of the mind and heart, offering insights into the enduring quest for meaning and connection in the face of inevitable change.

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