Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's poem "A Man of Words" presents a meditative and complex exploration of communication, memory, and the transient nature of experience. The poem, typical of Ashbery's style, weaves together abstract imagery and introspective thought, challenging the reader to navigate its rich tapestry of meaning.

The opening lines, "His case inspires interest / But little sympathy; it is smaller / Than at first appeared," immediately set a tone of introspection and diminishing expectations. The subject of the poem, presumably the "man of words" of the title, is introduced in a way that suggests complexity and perhaps a sense of disappointment. The imagery of the nettle and the garden filling up with snow further develops this theme, suggesting the inevitable encroachment of time and nature on human endeavors.

Ashbery's use of the garden as a metaphor is particularly evocative. The garden, with three sides enclosed and the fourth open, represents a space that is both protected and exposed. This could be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, specifically the condition of the artist or thinker, who is partly sheltered by their intellect or creativity, yet also vulnerable to the elements of time, change, and misunderstanding.

The phrase "gestures theatrically meant / To punctuate like doubled-over weeds" is striking. It suggests a sense of futility in human efforts to communicate or make sense of the world. These gestures, like weeds bending over, are both natural and somewhat desperate, reflecting a struggle to be understood or to understand.

The poem then shifts to a more personal reflection, with the speaker mentioning a "metallic taste / In my mouth as I look away." This sensory detail suggests discomfort or distaste, perhaps with the limitations of language or the frustrating nature of trying to capture reality with words. The imagery of "density black as gunpowder" in the grass and the unexpected rose-red pressure points to the hidden, sometimes explosive nature of truth and memory.

Ashbery's reference to tangled versions of the truth being combed out and the mask hiding a "continental appreciation / Of what is fine" touches on the theme of artifice and reality. There is a sense that behind the public façade, there is a deeper appreciation for beauty and truth, but it is fleeting and often obscured by the complexities of life and communication.

The poem concludes with a somber reflection on the nature of memory and the passing of time. The comparison of diaries to the dead, "clear and cold," lying horizontal and parallel to the earth, evokes the finality of the past and the impossibility of fully recapturing it. The last lines, "Just time to reread this / And the past slips through your fingers, wishing you were there," poignantly capture the longing and loss inherent in the act of remembering.

Overall, "A Man of Words" is a reflective and nuanced poem that delves into the complexities of communication, memory, and the passage of time. Ashbery's rich imagery and abstract style invite multiple interpretations, making the poem a fascinating exploration of the human experience.

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