Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "White Roses" delves into a rich tapestry of imagery and emotion, juxtaposing elements of light and darkness, the tangible and the intangible, to explore themes of perception, communication, and isolation. The poem, with its intricate construction and evocative language, invites readers into a contemplative space where the boundaries between the external world and internal experience blur.

The opening line, "The worst side of it all—", immediately sets a tone of foreboding or concern, suggesting a narrative that will grapple with difficult, perhaps unsettling themes. This sense of unease is compounded by the contrast between "The White Sunlight" and "the polished floor," where the natural light, typically associated with clarity and purity, is overshadowed by the artificial, possibly superficial sheen of human-made surfaces. This juxtaposition hints at a deeper exploration of authenticity versus facade, or the natural versus the constructed.

"Pressed into service," the poem continues, evoking a feeling of compulsion or unwilling participation, as if the subjects of the poem are coerced into roles or situations beyond their control. The subsequent closing of the window, marking the end and a new beginning of the night, further emphasizes themes of confinement and cyclicality, suggesting a perpetual struggle or repetition without progress.

The transformation of her face to green and her eyes' matching hue introduces a surreal, almost otherworldly dimension to the poem. This change might symbolize jealousy, sickness, or a loss of vitality, aligning with the poem's overarching sense of unease and displacement. The reference to playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever" in a dark corner attempts to evoke a sense of patriotism or resilience, yet this effort is lost, as the intended recipient, likened to a swan, refuses to listen. The swan's symbolism, often associated with beauty and grace but also with silence and aloofness, reinforces the themes of communication breakdown and isolation.

Ashbery's assertion that "No stars are there, / No stripes," negates the earlier attempt to invoke a patriotic anthem, instead presenting a reality devoid of the comfort or unity such symbols might offer. The image of "a blind man’s cane poking, however clumsily, into the inmost corners of the house" is particularly poignant, suggesting a desperate search for understanding or connection in a space that feels increasingly foreign and inaccessible.

The poem's conclusion, with its call to abandon the book and the flowers intended for another, underlines a surrender to the inevitability of change and the futility of certain gestures. The "white, tremendous foam of the street" and "the new white flowers" that are beginning to emerge signal a shift towards renewal or the possibility of new beginnings, yet this optimism is tempered by the poem's earlier exploration of loss, misunderstanding, and the challenges of truly connecting with another.

"White Roses" is a reflection on the complexities of human experience, the search for meaning in a world that often feels indifferent or hostile, and the fleeting moments of beauty and understanding that sustain us. Through its layered imagery and nuanced exploration of emotion, Ashbery crafts a poem that resonates with the ambiguity and poignancy of life itself.

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