Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's poem "Where the Choice of the Poetic Form is Relevant It Should Be Included in the Essays" is a fascinating exploration of temporality, human experience, and the seemingly mundane aspects of life that hold deeper meaning. Ashbery, known for his complex, postmodern style, weaves a tapestry of images and ideas that challenge the reader to delve into the layers of meaning.

The poem’s title itself is intriguing and meta-poetic, suggesting a reflection on the nature of poetry and the importance of form in conveying meaning. This aligns with Ashbery’s characteristic blending of content and form, where the structure of the poem itself becomes a part of its message.

The opening lines, “Happy thoughts weren’t made to last, but it is their compactness that eludes us,” set a tone of ephemeral joy and the elusive nature of happiness. The poem suggests that joy is fleeting and that its brief nature is part of what makes it difficult to grasp fully. This reflects a common theme in Ashbery’s work: the complexity and transience of human emotions.

Ashbery's use of ordinary objects, such as a nanny and a pram, and imbuing them with a sense of divine force, illustrates the poet's ability to find depth and significance in everyday life. The idea that these mundane items are part of a larger, godly plan suggests a hidden complexity in the ordinary.

The poem shifts to a more introspective tone with the lines, “How could we not like it, watching it emanate like a breath of witch hazel or a grayish-purple shroud?” This imagery evokes a sense of mystical contemplation, with the natural element of witch hazel symbolizing healing and the shroud suggesting mortality and the unknown.

Ashbery addresses the theme of human agency and responsibility in the stanza discussing hands. The hands are anthropomorphized, and the speaker suggests that they might claim credit for our accomplishments. This raises questions about the extent of individual control and the forces that shape our actions and achievements.

The mention of someone sitting on their porch “burping uninterruptedly” introduces a contrast between the contemplative nature of the poem and the mundane, perhaps even crude, aspects of life. This juxtaposition highlights the poet's interest in the full spectrum of human experience, from the profound to the trivial.

The poem concludes with an acknowledgment of the burden of knowledge and the internal struggle of those who see beyond the surface (“We, who see around corners, into strongboxes, must wear the guilt of our glancing”). This final reflection points to the idea that with greater understanding comes a greater sense of responsibility and perhaps a burden of awareness.

In summary, "Where the Choice of the Poetic Form is Relevant It Should Be Included in the Essays" is a rich, multilayered poem that speaks to the fleeting nature of happiness, the depth in the mundane, and the complexities of human consciousness. Ashbery’s unique style, combining abstract imagery with introspective insights, challenges readers to think deeply about the nature of existence and perception.

POEM TEXT: https://yalereview.org/article/i-too

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