Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Love Poem" by John Ashbery is a complex and enigmatic piece that delves into the intricacies of human relationships, the search for happiness, and the inevitability of repetition in our interactions and experiences. Ashbery's characteristic style of ambiguous and non-linear narrative is evident, creating a dreamlike and introspective atmosphere.

The opening line, "And they have to get it right," immediately introduces a sense of urgency or necessity, possibly referring to the efforts people make in understanding or perfecting their relationships. The poem suggests a universal longing for "a little happiness," highlighting the fundamental human desire for joy and contentment.

Ashbery's use of parentheses creates a sense of asides or whispered thoughts, adding layers to the narrative. The mention of "the clever things" being "taken up" could refer to the intellectual or emotional strategies people employ in relationships. The question, "O has the mouth shaped that letter?" is intriguing and may symbolize the act of communication, with the "O" representing both a spoken sound and a symbol of completeness or unity.

The imagery of the "last thin curve" evokes the end of something, perhaps the closing of a day or the final moments of happiness before a shift to darkness or uncertainty. The description of the sky as "pure and faint" and the "pavement still wet" paints a vivid picture of a transient moment, capturing the ephemeral nature of experience.

In the second stanza, the poem delves deeper into the theme of inescapability. The phrase "The dripping is in the walls, within sleep / Itself" suggests that certain thoughts, feelings, or anxieties are so ingrained that they permeate even our subconscious minds. The line "I mean there is no escape / From me, from it" could be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the inescapable nature of one's own identity, thoughts, or a particular relationship.

The poem concludes with the idea that "The night is itself sleep / And what goes on in it," indicating that our dreams and unconscious thoughts are as much a part of our reality as our waking lives. The final lines, "the naming of the wind, / Our notes to each other, always repeated, always the same," speak to the repetitive nature of human interaction and communication. Despite the constant striving for understanding and connection, there is a sense of inevitability and unchanging patterns in the ways we relate to each other.

Overall, "Love Poem" is a contemplative and introspective work that invites the reader to reflect on the complexities of human relationships, the elusive nature of happiness, and the repetitive patterns that define our interactions. Ashbery's poetic style, with its ambiguity and layered meanings, offers a rich and multifaceted exploration of these themes.

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