Back To Literature, Past
A Literary & Poetry Column
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

A Simple Good-bye to Robert Creeley

   I didn't know Robert Creeley well. A few years ago he substituted for another poetry teacher for only one class. I was in St. Petersburg, Russia studying at Herzen University with Summer Literary Semester (www.sumlitsem.org/russia/contests.asp) when he appeared miraculously at the head of the table in the small room where our group met. I was in awe at the opportunity to learn from him, so in awe that I forgot to take notes. I remember that he said something about "poetry misunderstood." I thought he meant that beginning poets try to get too fancy, too literary,

     Since then I have noticed that he has always heeded his own advice. I especially love the simplicity of his later poems. We all grow more aware of our mortality as we age. His poem "Goodbye" seems as if it were written to serve as his own eulogy.

He says,

"The century was well along
when I came in
and now that it's ending,
I realize it won't
be long."

He talks of love. Says that his body is impatient. And then he says poignantly (and simply), "I want no more than home."

Robert Creeley has what he wanted. Good-bye and thank you.

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