Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Girls on the Run: 7" by John Ashbery presents a whimsical and surreal narrative, reminiscent of a dream or a fragmented fairy tale. The poem begins with the image of a thread ending up on the floor, an event that seems trivial yet is laden with significance, symbolizing perhaps the end of a journey or the beginning of a new narrative.

The appearance of ducks and the mention of rain introduce a sense of the ordinary, yet the poem quickly shifts into bizarre and unexpected territories. The ducks' involvement in "sordid sexual situations" juxtaposed with the "smidgen of fun" reflects the unpredictable and often absurd nature of life as depicted in the poem.

Ashbery's language is playful and elusive, creating a world where the ordinary and the fantastical coexist. The mention of phrase books becoming useless once a language is learned suggests a critique of the limitations of communication and the inevitable forgetting that comes with knowledge.

The narrative continues with a series of disjointed scenes and characters, including a blue rabbit, gold pigtails, and a fox, all contributing to the poem's dreamlike quality. The poem's landscape is both magical and mundane, with elements like a sundial, a stile, and an ambulance existing alongside more fantastical imagery.

The poem touches on themes of time, memory, and the transient nature of existence. The recurring motif of going back and the uncertainty of those who did reflects the human tendency to revisit the past and the inherent ambiguity in such endeavors.

As the poem progresses, it delves into deeper philosophical questions about the nature of reality and existence. The preacher's explanation that bats in silos are the reason for the ongoing nature of life adds a layer of absurdity, yet it also points to the search for meaning in a seemingly random universe.

The poem concludes with a sense of unresolved narrative, as the characters embark on a journey with baited hooks and peanut butter, leaving their home. This ending encapsulates the poem's exploration of the unknown and the continual search for understanding in a world that defies easy explanations.

Overall, "Girls on the Run: 7" is a quintessential Ashbery poem, blending humor with depth, and creating a rich tapestry of images and ideas that invites multiple interpretations and reflects the complexity of the human experience.

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