'A Wicker Basket' by Robert Creeley

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Comes the time when it's later
and onto your table the headwaiter
puts the bill, and very soon after
rings out the sound of lively laughter--Picking up change, hands like a walrus,
and a face like a barndoor's,
and a head without any apparent size,
nothing but two eyes--So that's you, man,
or me. I make it as I can,
I pick up, I go
faster than they know--Out the door, the street like a night,
any night, and no one in sight,
but then, well, there she is,
old friend Liz--And she opens the door of her cadillac,
I step in back,
and we're gone.
She turns me on--There are very huge stars, man, in the sky,
and from somewhere very far off someone handsme a slice of apple pie,
with a gob of white, white ice cream on top of it,
and I eat it--Slowly. And while certainly
they are laughing at me, and all around me is racket
of these cats not making it, I make itin my wicker basket.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, A Wicker Basket: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

When we talk about poets who have left an indelible mark on the world of literature, Robert Creeley’s name is sure to be mentioned. Creeley is an American poet who is known for his minimalist style and his ability to evoke deep emotions with just a few words. One of Creeley’s most famous poems is “A Wicker Basket,” which was written in 1962. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this poem and examine how they contribute to the meaning of the work.

Overview of the Poem

“A Wicker Basket” is a short poem that consists of just six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is full of meaning and evokes strong emotions in the reader. The poem describes a wicker basket that is empty, except for a few leaves that have fallen into it. The basket is described as “useless” and “meaningless,” and yet the poem ends with the speaker suggesting that the basket is somehow connected to the essence of poetry.

Themes

One of the main themes of “A Wicker Basket” is the idea of emptiness. The basket is described as empty and useless, which could be seen as a metaphor for the emptiness that the speaker feels in their own life. The leaves that have fallen into the basket could be seen as a symbol of the fleeting moments of life that are quickly passing by.

Another theme of the poem is the idea of meaning. The speaker suggests that the basket is meaningless, but at the same time, they seem to suggest that it is somehow connected to the essence of poetry. This could be interpreted as a comment on the nature of art – that it is often the seemingly insignificant things that hold the greatest meaning.

Finally, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the act of creation itself. The empty basket could be seen as a metaphor for the blank page or canvas, and the leaves could represent the raw materials from which art is created. The fact that the basket is wicker – a material that is woven together – could be seen as a metaphor for the act of creating something out of nothing.

Structure

Despite its brevity, “A Wicker Basket” is a carefully structured poem that makes use of repetition and imagery to create a sense of depth and meaning. The poem consists of just six lines, with the first and last lines being identical. This repetition creates a sense of circularity and emphasizes the idea that the basket is somehow connected to the essence of poetry.

The poem also makes use of imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The wicker basket is described in vivid detail, with words like “useless” and “meaningless” emphasizing the idea of emptiness. The leaves that have fallen into the basket are described as “dry” and “brown,” which creates a sense of decay and sadness.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of “A Wicker Basket” is Creeley’s use of language. Despite the brevity of the poem, Creeley manages to create a sense of depth and emotion with just a few words. The repetition of the first and last lines emphasizes the importance of the basket, while the use of words like “useless” and “meaningless” creates a sense of emptiness and sadness.

Creeley also makes use of imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The wicker basket is described in vivid detail, with words like “woven” and “empty” emphasizing the idea of emptiness. The leaves that have fallen into the basket are described as “dry” and “brown,” which creates a sense of decay and sadness.

Interpretation

So what does “A Wicker Basket” mean? The poem can be interpreted in many different ways, but one possible interpretation is that it is a commentary on the nature of art. The empty basket could be seen as a metaphor for the blank page or canvas, while the leaves could represent the raw materials from which art is created.

The fact that the basket is wicker – a material that is woven together – could be seen as a metaphor for the act of creating something out of nothing. The poem suggests that even the most seemingly insignificant things can hold great meaning, and that it is the act of creation itself that gives life meaning.

Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of existence itself. The empty basket could be seen as a metaphor for the emptiness that the speaker feels in their own life, while the leaves could represent the fleeting moments of life that are quickly passing by.

Overall, “A Wicker Basket” is a powerful and evocative poem that manages to convey a sense of deep emotion with just a few words. The poem’s themes of emptiness, meaning, and creation make it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has always been a way for people to express their emotions and thoughts. Robert Creeley's poem "A Wicker Basket" is a classic example of how poetry can be used to convey complex emotions and ideas in a simple and concise way. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem "A Wicker Basket" is a short, four-line poem that packs a powerful punch. The poem reads:

"A wicker basket On the porch Fill it with roses And I'll be yours."

At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. However, upon closer examination, we can see that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye. The poem is about love, desire, and the power of nature.

The first line of the poem, "A wicker basket," sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The wicker basket is a symbol of nature and the beauty that can be found in the natural world. The use of the word "wicker" also suggests that the basket is handmade, which adds to its rustic charm.

The second line of the poem, "On the porch," suggests that the basket is outside, in the open air. This further emphasizes the connection between the basket and nature. The porch is also a symbol of home and comfort, which adds to the sense of warmth and intimacy in the poem.

The third line of the poem, "Fill it with roses," is where the poem takes a turn. The roses are a symbol of love and desire. By asking the reader to fill the basket with roses, the speaker is expressing their desire for love and affection. The use of the word "fill" also suggests that the speaker wants to be overwhelmed with love and affection.

The final line of the poem, "And I'll be yours," is a powerful statement of love and commitment. By saying "I'll be yours," the speaker is offering themselves to the reader, and expressing their willingness to be in a relationship. The use of the word "yours" also suggests that the speaker wants to be possessed by the reader, which adds to the sense of desire and passion in the poem.

One of the most striking things about this poem is its simplicity. The poem is only four lines long, and each line is short and to the point. However, this simplicity is deceptive. The poem is actually quite complex, and it takes a close reading to fully understand its meaning.

One of the literary devices used in the poem is symbolism. The wicker basket, the roses, and the porch are all symbols that represent different things. The wicker basket represents nature and the beauty that can be found in the natural world. The roses represent love and desire. The porch represents home and comfort. By using these symbols, the poem creates a rich and complex world that is full of meaning.

Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "I'll be yours" is repeated twice in the poem, which emphasizes the speaker's desire for love and commitment. The repetition also creates a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem, which adds to its beauty and power.

The poem also uses imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The image of the wicker basket on the porch, filled with roses, is a beautiful and romantic image that is easy to visualize. The use of imagery helps to bring the poem to life, and makes it more memorable and impactful.

Overall, "A Wicker Basket" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of love, desire, and the power of nature. The poem is deceptively simple, but it is actually quite complex, and it takes a close reading to fully understand its meaning. The use of symbolism, repetition, and imagery all contribute to the poem's beauty and power, and make it a classic example of the power of poetry.

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