Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"How Dangerous" by John Ashbery is a contemplative poem that weaves together diverse images and scenes to explore themes of perception, reality, and the passage of time. Ashbery's style is marked by his ability to blend the ordinary with the surreal, creating a dream-like quality that challenges the reader to find coherence in the seemingly disparate elements.

The poem begins with the line, "Like a summer kangaroo, each of us is a part / of the sun in its tumbling commotion." This unusual metaphor immediately sets the tone of the poem, combining the natural world with a sense of chaotic movement. The kangaroo, a creature known for its bouncing and energy, is likened to the sun, suggesting a vibrant, dynamic connection between living beings and the cosmos.

The poem then shifts to a more serene image of a "spent stream / trickled into the painted grotto." This scene conveys a sense of tranquility and perhaps decline or exhaustion, contrasting with the energetic opening. The "painted grotto" suggests both a natural and an artificial element, blurring the lines between reality and artifice.

Ashbery introduces the image of a "snow-covered steppe," expanding the poem's geographical scope and evoking a sense of vastness and emptiness. The reference to an opera and a "tenor’s aria / of hopelessness" infuses the poem with a sense of drama and melancholy, implying that life itself can be as grand and tragic as a theatrical performance.

The poem then delves into a narrative of travelers in inns, spinning tales by the fire. This setting is reminiscent of traditional storytelling, where tales are shared in communal spaces, often blurring the lines between truth and fiction. The mention of a "garrison in central Tadzhikistan" adds an element of exoticism and mystery, inviting the reader to imagine distant and unfamiliar places.

In the final stanza, Ashbery touches on the theme of aging and the need for new experiences and environments. The idea of needing "new scenery" and the effort involved in transporting it "thousands of miles over narrow-gauge railroads" speaks to the human desire for change and renewal, even as we acknowledge the passage of time and its effects on us.

Overall, "How Dangerous" is a reflective and enigmatic poem that invites multiple interpretations. Ashbery's skillful use of imagery and narrative creates a tapestry of thoughts and scenes that are both evocative and elusive. The poem encourages the reader to contemplate the complexities of life, the interplay of reality and illusion, and the inexorable flow of time.

POEM TEXT: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v22/n02/john-ashbery/two-poems

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