for Robert Creeley(1926-2005)

for Robert Creeley(1926-2005)

 

I saw his eye patch first

then his words

like flowers in a garden

aligned with love and hope

 

a peaceful teacher

from a school 

in upstate NY

an anthologized poet

 

"like this one, like that one'

but unique in his prosperity

of language

a metaphoric genius

 

sitting in his office

one eye in the mirror

and the other in the sky

searching semantically driven clouds

 

and now his other eye

has joined the search

there must be something up there

that can be added to his pages.

 

 

erin-cilberto

3/9/25

Reviews

[KWP]

one eye in the mirror
and the other in the sky

these two lines grabbed me by the shif=rt and pulled me close ... I believe it was you who introduced little ol' me to Robert Creely and for that I shall remain forever thankful. X

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am glad you like his work...he is one of my favorites since I was introduced to him in 1970 by one of my Modern American poetry teachers.
Thanks, KWP,
j.

[Soren]

Quite the description Jacob it paints the image well. The image a metaphor in itself

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Soren...

[redzone]

I must admit, Jacob, that I have never read Robert Creeley. Your poem invited me to search for some of his poems. Looks like I have more reading to do, eh. Thank you for this, and for a wonderful tribute to him. He seems to have had an influence on you and how you approach poetry.
-Curt

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think you will like his work, Curt.
Thank you
j.

[John F]

Love this. You can just feel the admiration in your words. Great closing line. Things will be right in heaven but does that mean there won’t be pages to blacken with poetry?

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I don't know, John, but I hope we can still write poetry in heaven...maybe there will be less need for revision.
j.

[K. Louis]

Your poem for Robert Creeley is beautiful. I loved the line "one eye in the mirror and the other in the sky" -- it's such a vivid image of him searching for inspiration. And the last two lines, where you imagine his other eye joining in the search..poignant and beautiful.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you for your kind review, K.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Interesting he had one eye or lost one; did not know that.

[Sami Khalil]

A great tribute to this famous modernist poet of a specific genre and achievement. I take it that our poet Jacob met him and conversed also; what an honor.
Thank you for sharing your support of him and his contributions.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh, I wish I had had the privilege of meeting him.
Thank you, Sami.
j.

[Sami Khalil]

Ah, OK. You are welcome.