He wants to be
a brutal old man,
an aggressive old man,
as dull, as brutal
as the emptiness around him,
He doesn't want compromise,
Brutal –  Grossly ruthless or unfeeling Aggressive – Marked by driving forceful energy or initiative 
 Creeley uses these first three lines to paint the picture of the stereotypical, crotchety old man. Does he really want to be brutal ? 

Self-Portrait