Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's poem "Boy" is a complex and evocative work that explores themes of responsibility, identity, and the tumultuous nature of life and human emotions. Ashbery, known for his abstract and often surreal poetry, crafts a narrative that is both poignant and enigmatic, inviting deep contemplation and interpretation.

The poem opens with the speaker agreeing to follow the guidance of "raids" and a "livid window," suggesting a sense of direction influenced by external forces or situations. The mention of the tide bringing "an awful lot of monsters" and the speaker's contemplation of fate introduces a theme of facing challenges and the unpredictable nature of life.

The ambiguity of "It had been raining but / It had not been raining" captures the poem's exploration of uncertainty and the blurred lines between reality and perception. The inability to "mop up this particular mess" underscores the complexity and scale of the challenges being faced.

The statement "Thunder lay down in the heart" and the declaration of love for "any vast electrical disturbance" evoke a sense of inner turmoil and a fascination with powerful, uncontrollable forces.

The reference to the "old man, face in the rainweed," asking smuttily, adds a layer of familial dynamics and the complexity of relationships between parents and children. The imagery of the boy falling "From shelf to shelf of someone's rage" suggests a sense of vulnerability and the impact of external anger or frustration.

The description of rain on the boxcars and the "pensive cabbage roses near the boxcars" creates a vivid, if surreal, scene that blends the natural with the industrial. This juxtaposition further adds to the poem's atmosphere of complexity and contradiction.

The questioning tone of "My boy. Isn't there something I asked you once? / What happened?" speaks to the theme of communication breakdowns and unaddressed questions or issues within relationships.

The reference to the corner "aboard the maple furniture" and the boy's inability to lie, discernible by syntax, adds to the poem's exploration of truth, honesty, and identity.

The closing lines, describing the flood, people "throwing up behind the lines," and "dry fields of lightning" rising to meet the observer, create a scene of chaos and confrontation. This imagery reflects a world in which individuals must navigate both literal and metaphorical storms.

"Boy" is a thought-provoking poem that captures the complexities of growing up, facing life's challenges, and the intricacies of familial and personal identity. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery and abstract thought creates a narrative that resonates with the unpredictability and depth of the human experience.

POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/boy

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