This Poem was Submitted By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2005-04-16 16:29:12 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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Saluting Robert Creeley Redux

Dew-jeweled, fresh, renewed. Raindrops filled with treasure as a river pleasuring in its persistence. To find emptiness  is to fill it, even his words with aching holes. Smoke signals are indiscreet compared to his spare speech: simple, select, rare. A mouth like Noah's dove. 1926 - 2005

Copyright © April 2005 Mell W. Morris

Additional Notes:
I posted this poem here in 2003. Sadly, Mr. Creeley died 3-30-05. I thought he deserved another salute.


This Poem was Critiqued By: Tony P Spicuglia On Date: 2005-05-07 08:28:48
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.73077
Mell I am glad I finally got to write to this piece. It is not so much that Robert Creely, or his contemporaries Allan Ginsberg and Charles Olson (spent in name by philosophy only), had a particularly grand impression on me, it was more the “avante guarde” presence that in this modern era gave credence to the poet. He, EE Cummings, and Robert Frost, like the others brought edge and practicality to the art, (even thought I often thought they lost the art at times in their practicality), and it is this bustling nature that endears the last millennium poets to me. I always thought with all of them that there was too much French and Harvard influence, and had they viewed the art more than the vehicle, I would have died to read them, rather than “read them to learn of the feelings of contrarians”. In that light, I believe you did a wonderful “caricature” of this poet in the words you chose, and style you chose to write it in. In your reading “smoke signals” and “indiscreet” almost clash with the “spare speech” and the “river pleasuring”. I could see Mr. Creely writing in a similar circuitous manner. I shall grant you a compliment, that should come as now surprise to you. In writing to his style and “Noah’s Dove”, you showed a great concern for the art, as well as for the substance. This is endearing, and I think, the real motivation beneath the “at times strained” exterior of Mr. Creely’s poetry. I revere these men, not so much for their craft, but for the vehicle that kept the craft alive. I wish today, such veneration was still possible. Most of us will die anonymous, except to each other. “New Song by Simon and Garfunkel” – “where have you gone Robert Creely”.... the nation bows its lonely head for you...


This Poem was Critiqued By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2005-04-28 07:17:18
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.25641
What a lovely tribute to a fine man my friend......I am sorry to read about his passing........and hope he read the original posting of this poem......he would have enjoyed it so much I am sure....good structure, word flow, images and feelings of the man presented from the flare of your pen. Thank you for posting once more, God Bless, Claire Hope all is well with you ....... If you e-mail me your address I will write you a letter....hehehe.......I live in Tully, Massachusetts, I believe you live in Texas but I have no clue where.........just a thought......
This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas Edward Wright On Date: 2005-04-23 18:08:12
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Simply marvelous Mellodious. Dew-jewel Holey smokes. Liquid thought.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2005-04-18 13:32:45
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Mell: I can almost recall what I said before when you submitted this the first time. It affected me then, as now, with its sparse eloquence. With the power of few words as opposed to many. I especially love “Smoke signals/ are indiscreet compared to his spare speech.” Reading this again today sent me on a search for some of Creeley’s work, and I reread “Water Music” and from “The Conspiracy” -- “You send me your poems, I'll send you mine.” This is food. Your poem is food and rereading Creeley is deeply nourishing. As always your poetry is strong in sound – “indiscreet/spare speech” – splendid words! I particularly love the final two lines for their nonpareil imagery. “To find emptiness is to fill it, even his words with aching holes.” There is so much thought embraced in these lines above that I can spend the day with them and need no other. It feels prophetic. Maybe I said this last time, about how it is the silences between notes of music that define it, or the empty spaces around a sculpture that give the figure its definition. I feel a little self-conscious right now, as my tendency is to try to find a lot of words to say what can be best said simply. ;) Simply said: Magnificent tribute to a great poet! Thank you for presenting it once more. Kudos, and a bouquet of asphodel extended. As always, LL EM.
This Poem was Critiqued By: marilyn terwilleger On Date: 2005-04-18 12:58:39
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.43750
Hi Mell, What a beautiful tribute to a fellow poet. I wanted to read some of his work so I went to a web site to do just that but for some reason my computer clogged up and I had an awful time getting out and the site I went to really was not what I was looking for anyway. But I do remember you critiqued a haiku I wrote called 'rain' which reminded you of a poem about rain that Mr. Creeley wrote. Having said all of that this poem has some delicious words and phrases which I have come to know you are the master. 'dew-jeweled'...this is wonderful....even better than be-jewled (which I have been known to use) and it does so compliment 'raindrops.' The notion of a river being 'pleasured' by raindrops filled with treasure is true to Mell-form....you continue to amaze me with your words and images....'persistant rain'...love this. 'to find emptiness is to fill it, even his words with aching holes'...aching holes...who could have possibly thought of those words but you....so intuitive for the type of poetry he must have written. I feel complled to read some of his work. 'smoke signals are indicreet compared to his spare speech' the comparison of wispy fragmented smoke rising to that of spare speech is a marvel...no matter how much I write I can never become this accomplished. I am not saying these things to make you feel good (even though I am happy if they do) but I am saying them because they are true and they thrill me....'simple, select, rare..a mouth like Noah's dove.' I am so glad you re-posted this poem as it certainly deserves to be read again or in my case for the first time. I know sitting at the computer is difficult for you and I appreciate it so much especially when you give us a gem such as this to revel. As always I hope you are having a better day today...you said you had an awful attack of lupus and I pray that it is over and your pain has eased. I am coming to Texas toward the last week in May to my grand-daughters high school graduation. She lives in Granite Shoals but I will also visit Ft Worth and I will call you. You said you had moved so please let me know if you have a new phone number. God Bless....mt
This Poem was Critiqued By: Dellena Rovito On Date: 2005-04-16 18:31:26
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Hi, "Poetry speak to whoever listens", from Nothing New. Poetry will make you happy, put hair on your chest, shoes on your feet, get you out there and swinging, everybody's waiting for you, to get it on, get up and go. What a guy to admire! Dew-jeweled, fresh,renewed. [the speaking it sounds melodious] Raindrops filled with treasure as a river pleasuring[again] in its persistence.To find emptiness[good rhyme] is to fill it, even his words with aching holes. Smoke signals are indiscreet compared to his spare speech: simple, select, rare.[good s's and rhyme] A mouth like Noah's dove. [Does this mean peace?] He sounds very intelligent, with great ideas and conclusions. I will read his work! What I see now is wonderful stuff... I'm tickled you posted this. What a nice tribute, he would be honored. Thanks Mell for sharing yourself! always Dellena Great words/
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