Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Friends" by John Ashbery is a complex and multifaceted poem that navigates through surreal imagery, introspective reflections, and philosophical musings. The poem begins with a quote from Nijinsky, "I like to speak in rhymes, because I am a rhyme myself," setting the stage for a narrative that intertwines the abstract with the personal, the real with the imaginary.

The opening stanza introduces a dream-like landscape, a "cottage in the sky" and a "balloon made of lead," immediately challenging conventional perceptions of reality. This surreal imagery suggests a world where the usual laws of nature are suspended, inviting the reader into a space of imaginative freedom. The poet's tears falling on his hand and tie evoke a sense of melancholy or deep emotion, yet he expresses a desire not to restrain them, indicating a willingness to embrace and explore his feelings.

The poem then shifts to a more grounded scene, describing a complaint from neighbors about an unpleasant odor, possibly hinting at decay or neglect. This shift from the ethereal to the mundane underscores the complexity of human experience. The walks "But met no friends" and going "outside into the world" suggest a sense of isolation and an ongoing search for connection or understanding in a continuously rocking world.

The interaction with the banker, marked by the exchange of nonsense and the tracing of circles on light, indicates a sense of futility or disconnection in everyday interactions. The presence of a third person entering the room while discussing money problems adds an element of intrusion or unexpected change, further emphasizing the unpredictability of life.

The poet's feeling of carrying a message for years, akin to Atlas bearing the world, reflects a sense of burden or responsibility. The desire to "put it down" suggests a longing to communicate effectively and share an understanding of a shared, agreeable destiny. The vast crater lake metaphor, reflecting a smaller sky, symbolizes the depth and expanse of human emotion and consciousness.

In the concluding stanzas, the poet's actions and interactions become more deliberate and formal, indicating a shift towards acceptance and understanding. The lack of mistakes and the cessation of running away imply a coming to terms with reality. The final lines, where the poet turns to the reader, perhaps now understood, and describes the feeling as a jewel-like pearl, encapsulate the preciousness and beauty found in human connection and understanding.

Overall, "Friends" by John Ashbery is a poignant exploration of the human condition, blending surreal imagery with introspective thought. The poem navigates through themes of isolation, the search for meaning, the complexity of interactions, and the beauty of emotional depth, ultimately affirming the value of human connection and understanding

POEM TEXT: https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1977/03/31/two-poems-by-john-ashbery/

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