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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained | |||
The poem begins with a statement of relief or acceptance: "I'm glad it didn't offend me." This opening suggests a confrontation with something potentially disturbing or challenging, yet the speaker remains unaffected. The phrase "Not astral rain nor the unsponsored irresponsible musings / Of the soul where it exists" conjures images of both the cosmic (astral rain) and the introspective (musings of the soul). This juxtaposition sets the stage for a poem that grapples with both external phenomena and internal contemplations. The line "To be fed and fussed over" implies a nurturing or caretaking aspect to these musings, suggesting that the soul or inner life requires attention and sustenance. The trial mentioned in the poem could be interpreted as the ongoing challenge of understanding and nurturing the self, or perhaps the broader human experience of making sense of one's existence. The poem then shifts to imagery of "anthems and bell ropes / Swaying from landlocked clouds," evoking a sense of the sublime and the transcendent. These images could symbolize the lofty aspirations and spiritual yearnings of humanity, contrasted with the grounded, tangible reality ("landlocked clouds"). "Otherwise into memories" introduces the theme of memory, with its inherent fluidity and instability. The inability of memories to "stand still" reflects the dynamic and often elusive nature of the past and how it is recalled and interpreted. The poem continues with a comparison to the "preordained bulk / Of the First National Bank," suggesting a sense of inevitability and permanence. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the inescapable and imposing structures of society, or perhaps the unchanging aspects of human nature. The final lines, "Like fish sauce, but agreeable," introduce an element of the everyday and the mundane, contrasting the earlier lofty imagery. Fish sauce, a common and potent ingredient, serves as a metaphor for the essential, yet often overlooked, aspects of life. The term "agreeable" implies a reconciliation or acceptance of these fundamental, if not always pleasant, realities. In summary, "Otherwise" by John Ashbery is a contemplative and richly layered poem that delves into themes of existential reflection, memory, and the contrast between the transcendent and the ordinary. Ashbery's use of vivid imagery and fluid narrative invites readers to ponder the complexities of the human experience, the ever-changing nature of memory, and the balance between the spiritual and the tangible in our understanding of the world.
| Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SOCIETY UPON THE STANISLAUS by FRANCIS BRET HARTE A DREAM OF FAIR WOMEN by ALFRED TENNYSON DIGNITY OF LABOR by LEVI BISHOP PARADISE by CHARLES GRANGER BLANDEN PILATE'S WIFE'S DREAM by CHARLOTTE BRONTE SONG OF A TURF-SOD by WILLIAM A. BYRNE |
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