'The Warning' by Robert Creeley

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For love-I would
split open your head and put
a candle in
behind the eyes.Love is dead in us
if we forget
the virtues of an amulet
and quick surprise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Warning by Robert Creeley

As I read through Robert Creeley's poem "The Warning," I couldn't help but feel a sense of urgency and foreboding. The poem seems to be warning the reader about the dangers of complacency and the need to constantly be aware of one's surroundings. But there is also a sense of hope in the poem, a call to action to take control of one's own life and not let outside forces dictate one's fate.

Structure and Form

One of the first things that struck me about "The Warning" was its structure and form. The poem is divided into six stanzas, each consisting of three lines. This three-line stanza, or tercet, is a common structure in poetry, but it is used to great effect in this poem. The short stanzas give the poem a sense of urgency, as if the speaker is trying to convey a message quickly before it is too late.

The poem is also written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a set meter or rhyme scheme. This lack of formal structure gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and immediacy. It feels as if the poem is being written in the moment, as if the speaker is trying to convey a message before it is too late.

Themes

One of the central themes of "The Warning" is the danger of complacency. The speaker warns the reader that "something is going to happen / that you can't stop." This line is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing its importance. The speaker is trying to convey the idea that there are forces at work in the world that are beyond our control, and that we need to be aware of them in order to protect ourselves.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of taking control of one's own life. The speaker admonishes the reader to "be ready to dance / when the chance appears." This line suggests that we should not simply wait for opportunities to come to us, but should actively seek them out and be prepared to take advantage of them when they arise.

Language and Imagery

Creeley's use of language and imagery is particularly striking in "The Warning." The poem is full of vivid and evocative phrases that paint a picture in the reader's mind. For example, the line "it may be that the only thing you can do / is to waste time as beautifully as possible" is a particularly powerful image.

The use of the phrase "waste time" is interesting, as it suggests that time itself is a valuable commodity that we need to use wisely. The idea of "wasting" time implies that we are not using our time effectively, and that we need to be more mindful of how we spend it.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker tells the reader to "be careful, be cautious, but live!" This line is a call to action, urging the reader to take control of their own life and not let outside forces dictate their fate.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Warning" is a powerful and evocative poem that conveys an important message. The poem warns the reader about the dangers of complacency and the need to be aware of one's surroundings, but it also suggests that there is hope and that we can take control of our own lives. Creeley's use of structure, form, language, and imagery all work together to create a powerful and impactful poem that is sure to stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Warning by Robert Creeley is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a powerful piece of literature that speaks to the human condition and the struggles that we all face in life. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and meaning.

Firstly, let's examine the structure of the poem. The Warning is a short poem consisting of only six lines. It is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and freedom, which is fitting for the message that it conveys.

The poem begins with the line, "For love - I would split open your head and put a candle in." This line is both shocking and intriguing. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The image of splitting open someone's head and putting a candle in is violent and disturbing, but it also suggests a sense of illumination and enlightenment. This line is a warning that love can be both beautiful and dangerous.

The second line of the poem, "Love is not a sentimental journey," reinforces this idea. Love is not always easy or pleasant. It can be a difficult and painful journey that requires sacrifice and hard work. The line also suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a journey that we must embark on.

The third line of the poem, "Love is a business," is a surprising statement. It suggests that love is not just a feeling, but a transaction that requires give and take. Love is not just about receiving, but also about giving. It is a two-way street that requires effort and investment.

The fourth line of the poem, "Except for the moth hour," is a reference to the time of day when moths are most active. This line suggests that there are times when love is most intense and passionate. It is a time when we are most vulnerable and open to the experience of love.

The fifth line of the poem, "I would be with you, honey, if I could," is a poignant statement. It suggests that the speaker is unable to be with the person they love, either because of distance or circumstance. It is a reminder that love is not always within our control.

The final line of the poem, "But the love that separates us is already in the poem," is a powerful statement. It suggests that the love that separates us is already present in the poem, which means that it is a universal experience that we all share. It is a reminder that love is not just about two individuals, but about the human experience as a whole.

Now that we have examined the structure of the poem, let's explore its themes. The Warning is a poem about love and the human condition. It explores the idea that love is both beautiful and dangerous, and that it requires sacrifice and hard work. It also suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a journey that we must embark on.

The poem also explores the idea that love is a two-way street that requires effort and investment. It is not just about receiving, but also about giving. This theme is reinforced by the line, "Love is a business." It suggests that love is not just a feeling, but a transaction that requires give and take.

Another theme that is explored in the poem is the idea that love is not always within our control. The line, "I would be with you, honey, if I could," suggests that the speaker is unable to be with the person they love, either because of distance or circumstance. This theme is a reminder that love is not just about two individuals, but about the human experience as a whole.

Finally, the poem explores the idea that love is a universal experience that we all share. The line, "But the love that separates us is already in the poem," suggests that the love that separates us is already present in the poem, which means that it is a universal experience that we all share. This theme is a reminder that love is not just about two individuals, but about the human experience as a whole.

In conclusion, The Warning by Robert Creeley is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love and the human condition. It is a reminder that love is both beautiful and dangerous, and that it requires sacrifice and hard work. It also suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a journey that we must embark on. The poem is a testament to the power of literature to capture the essence of the human experience and to speak to the universal truths that we all share.

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