Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"HAIBUN 6" by John Ashbery presents an intriguing blend of observational detail and philosophical musing, characteristic of Ashbery's complex and layered poetic style. The poem begins with a vivid and almost whimsical image: a frog energetically leaping into a pond. This scene is depicted as perfect in its simplicity and immediacy, a natural phenomenon that is beyond improvement or change. This opening sets the stage for the poem's exploration of life's varied experiences.

The poem then shifts to a less idyllic scenario, describing the unrelenting rain causing practical difficulties and discomfort. This contrast between the frog's effortless dive and the tedious, ongoing struggle against the rain highlights the spectrum of life's experiences, from the gracefully natural to the frustratingly mundane.

Ashbery subtly critiques the human tendency to shy away from acknowledging the full range of life's experiences, both pleasant and unpleasant. He suggests that society is increasingly moving towards a bland acceptance of everything, losing the ability to discern and appreciate the differences that make experiences unique and meaningful. This tepid approval, according to the poem, is like a rising tide, threatening to overwhelm and homogenize all distinctions.

The poem then takes a more ominous turn, with the imagery of a powerful, destructive flood. This metaphor extends the critique to a broader societal level, warning of the consequences of failing to maintain standards and distinctions. Ashbery implies that a lack of critical engagement with life's experiences could lead to a crisis, one that will force a reevaluation of values and standards, but only when it is too late to make any meaningful change.

The closing lines of the poem shift back to a personal perspective, with the speaker raising a glass in a toast to "back-and-silver striped nights." This gesture seems to be an acceptance of the current state of affairs, acknowledging the beauty in even the most prosaic elements of life. The mention of "striped hair, inquisitive gloves, a face, some woman named Ernestine Throckmorton, white opera glasses" adds a surreal, almost dreamlike quality, suggesting that finding value and meaning in the ordinary and the eccentric is perhaps a way to counteract the homogenizing tide.

Overall, "HAIBUN 6" is a contemplative and visually rich poem that challenges readers to consider the importance of maintaining discernment and appreciation for the full range of life's experiences. Ashbery's use of contrasting imagery and metaphor invites reflection on societal trends and personal attitudes towards the everyday and the extraordinary.

POET TEXT:

https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/haibun

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