Remembering Robert Creeley: “So, onward my friend!”

Abstract

This article analyzes the personal and academic journey of Barış Gümüşbaş with Robert Creeley, a prominent figure in postmodern American poetry. The paper explores how Gümüşbaş's initial exposure to Creeley's work during a graduate course led to a deeper engagement with his poetry, culminating in an MA thesis. The article argues that Creeley's visit to Turkey and subsequent mentorship significantly influenced Gümüşbaş's academic career. This study examines the unique teaching style of Creeley, highlighting his modesty, kindness, and ability to create a human connection through poetry. The author contends that Creeley's approach to poetry as a context for human communication and his critique of academic criticism provide valuable insights into the field of American literature. This work investigates the enduring impact of Creeley's mentorship on Gümüşbaş's scholarly pursuits, demonstrating the transformative power of personal and intellectual relationships in academia.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)