Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "We Hesitate" offers a profound meditation on the human condition, the passage of time, and the elusive nature of understanding and communication. Through his signature use of evocative imagery and complex themes, Ashbery crafts a poem that is both reflective and forward-looking, challenging readers to contemplate their place within the broader tapestry of life.

The poem begins with a declaration that "The days to come are a watershed," immediately situating the narrative at a crucial juncture of change and anticipation. This opening line sets the tone for a contemplation of future possibilities and the inherent uncertainty that accompanies them. The imperative to "improve your portrait of God / To make it plain" suggests a struggle with faith or understanding of the divine, highlighting the human desire for clarity in the face of existential ambiguity.

Ashbery's mention of a "list" and the assertion that "You and your bodies are on the line" evokes a sense of accountability and the physical reality of existence. This imagery points to the tangible and immediate consequences of our actions and decisions, underscoring the poem's exploration of responsibility and self-perception.

The "new past" that "unfurls like a great somber hope" above the treeline introduces a paradoxical notion of time, where the past is simultaneously new and laden with hope. This imagery, coupled with the "giant's hand / Placed tentatively on the hurrying clouds," creates a sense of grandeur and transience, capturing the fleeting nature of moments and the overarching presence of forces beyond our control.

The poem delves into the complexity of human emotions and experiences, with "basins" that "come to be full and complex" symbolizing the depth and intricacy of life's challenges and joys. The subsequent lines, "Concern and embarrassment / Grow rank," reflect the proliferation of uneasy feelings, perhaps as a response to the inadequacies perceived in facing life's demands.

Ashbery's assertion that "Once they have come home there is no cursing" hints at a resolution or acceptance found in returning to one's origins or core self, a theme that contrasts with the disturbances and silences that pervade the narrative. The notion that "Fires disturb the evening" and "No one can hear the story" speaks to the disruptions and miscommunications that characterize human relationships and endeavors.

The poem's closing lines, describing the speaker's efforts to ban a certain discipline and the questioning of the utility of such actions, convey a sense of futility and resignation. Yet, the final image of the speaker as "a sane, yet sophisticated, person: / Rooted in twilight, dreaming, a piece of traffic," embodies a reconciliation with one's place in the world—a recognition of individual complexity within the broader flow of life.

"We Hesitate" is a poignant exploration of anticipation, reflection, and the quest for meaning amid the uncertainties of existence. Ashbery's use of rich, layered language and imagery invites readers to engage with the poem on multiple levels, offering insights into the dynamics of change, perception, and the human psyche. Through its contemplative narrative, the poem encourages a deep consideration of the ways in which we navigate the complexities of life, constantly balancing between hesitation and action, understanding and mystery.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Selected_Poems/cIlPEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22The+days+to+come+are+a+watershed%22ASHBERRY&pg=PA296&printsec=frontcover

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