“I think
I grow tensions
like flowers
in a wood where
nobody goes.
Each wound is perfect,
encloses itself in a tiny
imperceptible blossom,
making pain.
Pain is a flower like that one,
like this one,
like that one,
like this one.”
– Robert Creeley, ”The Flower”
Robert Creeley (1926 – 2005) was a major American poet of the 20th century. He was born in Arlington, MA and was a teacher, a scholar, and a fierce presence: “I look to words, and nothing else, for my own redemption either as a man or poet.” He lost the sight in one eye in a car accident when he was two years old. The loss of his eye and his father, both early in life, affected Creeley profoundly. For the first half of his life he travelled as an outsider, his heavy drinking often leading to brawls with friends and strangers. Creeley was sometimes an angry young man who wanted “the world to narrow to a match flare”. Unable to sign up for World War II because of his sight problem, he joined the American Field Service and drove ambulances in India and Burma. He returned home with two medals…Just days before he died, he gave his final reading — in Charlottesville, Virginia — breathing from what he called “portable wee canisters of oxygen about the size of champagne bottles”. In between the poems Creeley said very simple things that rang true: “There has been so much war and pain during the last century. We need to learn how to be kind; kindness is what makes us human.”
(Read full Bio by Robert Adamson @ Jacket 26)
Credits: Poem – sleepwalking.nu. Portrait: beatbookcovers
i most love what he said between his poems, while sucking on oxygen – about kindness, it’s what makes us human.
Yes, his bio, written by his friend, which I have referenced, is incredible. Worth taking the time to read.
To emerge from war and believe that ‘kindness is what makes us human’ says an enormous amount about this man. Loved this.
Yes…I was thinking the same when reading his bio. Incredible man.
There are more wonderful people in the world than I can even comprehend. And my wish would be to have met and/or meet them all. And just stand there speechless.
I’m with you.
Really? Is that why the coffee pot is already half-empty??
Oh…nope. It’s me.
🙂
There are acts of kindness all around us. Yesterday, I inadvertently witnessed one of those. A young woman had bought food for a homeless man. I happened to run past when she was giving it to him. It was really beautiful. Such a kind, simple gesture; who knows what effect it had on him? I know how it effected me.
What a wonderful experience, thanks for sharing Carolann. Just reading it, put me there and in the same mindset
🙂
What amazing strength to overcome loss at such an early age, then addiction. Despite those challenges and maybe because of them he developed a wisdom that seems so obvious but needs repeating – what matters most is kindness.
Yes, I was fascinated by his background. Incredible story and achievement.
“We need to learn how to be kind; kindness is what makes us human.” – I am in agreement with everyone here…yes.
Yes. 🙂
Pain grows in between woods in wild
The earth seems level and mild
protected pockets ..untold miseries in disguise
pricks like thorns guarding the roses..that brings smile
why hidden ? Why in between high trees ?
Why 🙂
I write about pain..that seldom die
Beautiful Kalabalu
Thanks
What a tough start to his life! But it looks like he made the best of it.
He certainly did!