Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"If the Birds Knew" by John Ashbery is a contemplative poem that explores themes of change, passage of time, and the elusive nature of understanding. The poem begins with an acknowledgment of improvement, "It is better this year," suggesting a shift from a past state to a more favorable present. However, the notion of change is immediately complicated by the assertion that in the "gray unweeded sky of our earth / There is no possibility of change." This paradox sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the complexities and contradictions inherent in life.

The poem reflects on the role of fate and the inexorable passing of time through the imagery of the fog and the wheel ready to turn again. These metaphors suggest a cyclical nature of existence, where moments of clarity and obscurity, motion and stillness, continuously alternate. The speaker's mention of "Undetermined summer thing eaten / Of grief and passage" further underscores the transient and often unpredictable nature of experiences and emotions.

Ashbery's use of imagery, such as "long piers of silence" and "hedges / Of understanding," evokes a sense of journey and the challenges encountered in seeking comprehension and connection. The poem navigates through these metaphorical landscapes, conveying the difficulties in moving "From one lesson to the next" and the "coldness / Of the consistency of our lives."

The closing lines of the poem introduce an element of mystery and potential enlightenment with the mention of birds that seem to be privy to a secret. This suggests a harmony or an understanding of the world that humans may not be able to grasp fully. The birds, unaffected by the perceived dangers and complexities of human life, move through their existence with an ease that eludes the human characters in the poem.

Overall, "If the Birds Knew" is a reflective piece that delves into the human condition, marked by a constant search for meaning and understanding in a world filled with uncertainties and contradictions. Ashbery's poetic language invites the reader to ponder the intricacies of life, the passage of time, and the possibility of hidden truths that lie just beyond our comprehension.

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