Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "Amid Mounting Evidence" is a sprawling and intricate exploration of knowledge, perception, and the passage of time. The poem, characteristic of Ashbery’s style, weaves together a tapestry of disparate images and ideas, creating a richly textured narrative that defies simple interpretation.

The poem begins with the speaker reading about dinosaurs, a subject that evokes themes of history, evolution, and extinction. The mention of the "scratching phase" and the "mirage Or menage" suggests a transition from one state of being to another, possibly from ignorance to understanding or from isolation to connection.

The reference to the "radiation theory" and its capacity to reverse "all normal procedures" introduces an element of scientific intrigue and the potential for dramatic change. The idea of a "pessimistic ball of wax" sliding down an inclined plane symbolizes a descent into negativity or defeatism, possibly reflecting the speaker's outlook on life or current events.

Ashbery's portrayal of an "infinity of loose ends that / Is taking over our government" speaks to a sense of disorder and chaos in the political or social realm. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the complexity and unpredictability of contemporary life.

The imagery of retreating to a "cold desert" like the Gobi and waiting "amid that sadness known as banishment" evokes feelings of exile, isolation, and anticipation. The speaker's uncertainty about whether "the point" will reappear reflects a broader existential uncertainty.

The poem then shifts to a more personal reflection, with the speaker recalling a time of happiness and mental clarity. The notion that the "object of these negotiations" was prevented from becoming a toy suggests a struggle to maintain seriousness or authenticity in the face of trivialization.

Ashbery's exploration of the passage of time and the realization of potential—"every potential is realized if one waits long enough"—is tinged with a sense of regret or loss. The context fading and the text becoming "regular" but no longer engaging mirrors the process of aging and changing perspectives.

The poem touches on themes of peace and conflict, the mundane and the extraordinary, the transient and the enduring. The juxtaposition of Roman candles ripping open the evening with the desire for peace and the triviality of daily life reflects the complexity of human desires and experiences.

Towards the end, Ashbery contemplates the inevitability of change and the nature of perception. The imagery of "windows / With flower-boxes and dreamy young girls" and birds bidding farewell suggests a world in constant flux, where endings and beginnings coexist.

The poem concludes with a reflection on the unknowability of certain truths—"The storm, you see, told none of its secrets"—and the human tendency to search for meaning, even in the face of ambiguity. The final lines, pondering the potential misplacement of something valuable, suggest a longing for certainty and understanding in an ever-changing and often incomprehensible world.

In "Amid Mounting Evidence," Ashbery creates a complex and thought-provoking tapestry of ideas, images, and emotions. The poem invites multiple interpretations and reflects the poet's ability to capture the nuances and paradoxes of the human condition.

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