Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Forgetten Sex" by John Ashbery presents an evocative reflection on change, memory, and the elusive nature of the past. The poem is set against the backdrop of urban transformation, where the physical dismantling of old movie palaces, streetcar tracks, and avenues metaphorically represents the fading of memories and the passage of time.

The opening lines, "They tore down the old movie palaces, / Ripped up streetcar tracks, widened avenues," immediately introduce the theme of change and loss. The demolition of these landmarks symbolizes the erasure of history and the collective memory associated with these spaces. The poem suggests that the past, once vibrant and full of life, becomes distant and unrecognizable with the passage of time.

The mention of "lampposts, curbs with their trees" disappearing further emphasizes the transformation of the landscape and the loss of familiar reference points. The changes in the physical environment mirror the changes in personal and collective histories, as the old is replaced by the new, leaving only traces and memories.

The line, "A story of departing hands and affairs, that mostly / Went untold," hints at the forgotten or unspoken narratives that make up the fabric of history. These stories of relationships and experiences, once significant, fade into obscurity as time progresses. The poem suggests that these narratives are only revived temporarily when someone from the past visits the "old neighborhood," bringing back memories and stories that are otherwise lost to time.

The notion of the story's shadow vanishing as it ends highlights the transient nature of memory and the fleeting quality of the past. The poem suggests that memories are fragile and ephemeral, often disappearing as quickly as they are recalled.

The reference to children discovering relics of the past, such as in an attic or underbrush, underscores the idea that the past is constantly being rediscovered and reinterpreted by new generations. The poem poses the question of how we explain the past to those who did not experience it, and how we convey the significance of what once was.

The poem reflects on the inevitability of change and the human tendency to adapt to new circumstances, often by diminishing the importance of what has been lost. The phrase "changed its answers to lies, youthful ambition / To a quirk of the past, a fancy," captures this sentiment, suggesting that what was once held as truth or aspiration becomes merely a curiosity or an eccentricity in hindsight.

The poem concludes with a contemplation of love and its transformative power. The abandonment by love is seen as a sign of new beginnings, of something else taking its place. The final lines evoke a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for the vividness of past experiences, which continue to live on in memory, albeit in a less tangible form.

Overall, "Forgotten Sex" is a poignant meditation on the passage of time, the impermanence of memories, and the continuous cycle of change and adaptation. The poem captures the complexity of human experience, where the past is both a distant echo and a living presence, shaping our understanding of the present and our anticipation of the future.

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