Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Strange Occupations" by John Ashbery is a poetic journey through memory, reflection, and the evolving nature of human experience. The poem's title, "Strange Occupations," suggests a focus on the unusual, perhaps idiosyncratic activities and thoughts that occupy our minds and lives.

The poem opens with a nostalgic recollection of shared experiences in childhood: "Once after school, hobbling from place to place," indicating movement and perhaps a sense of aimlessness or exploration. The speaker recalls specific details, such as a preference for "the dry kind of cookies" and "Wheatena," grounding the poem in vivid, sensory experiences.

The line "Don’t you remember how we used to fish for kelp?" introduces an element of whimsy or absurdity, a characteristic feature of Ashbery's poetry. This memory serves as a metaphor for seeking out the unusual or delving into the depths of experience.

The reference to a town with a "relaxed, suburban name" and the desire to live there suggests a yearning for simplicity and tranquility, a contrast to the complexities of life. The mention of "trees were green there, greener than a sudden embarrassed lawn in April" adds a layer of vivid imagery and perhaps implies a sense of longing or idealization.

Ashbery's use of phrases like "We sweltered along in our union suits" and signs marked “Answer” and “Repent” evoke a journey of spiritual or existential questioning. The poem reflects on the search for meaning and the trials encountered along the way.

The line "Velvet daylight came along to back us up" symbolizes a moment of clarity or support in the midst of uncertainty. The phrase "providing the courage that was always ours" suggests an inherent strength or resilience that is often unrecognized.

The poem's imagery shifts to more surreal scenes, such as "a symphony of hogs in a lilac tree," which disrupts conventional expectations and challenges the reader's perceptions.

"Strange Occupations" concludes with a contemplative tone, "To whose office shall we go tomorrow? I’d like to hear the new recording of clavier variations." This shift to the present and future indicates a continuous journey, an ongoing search for meaning and beauty in life, despite its inherent strangeness and complexity.

Overall, "Strange Occupations" is a reflective and imaginative exploration of memory, experience, and the human quest for understanding. Ashbery's unique style blends vivid imagery, nostalgia, and surreal elements to create a poem that invites multiple interpretations and resonates with the complexity of human experience.

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