Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Crossroads in the Past" by John Ashbery is a compelling and richly layered poem that delves into themes of uncertainty, reflection, and the complexities of human relationships. Ashbery, celebrated for his abstract and often enigmatic style, constructs a narrative that is both reflective and thought-provoking, inviting deep contemplation on the nature of memory, perception, and interpersonal dynamics.

The poem begins with a nocturnal scene where the wind stirs in forsythia bushes, immediately characterized as "wrong" due to its direction. This sets a tone of disorientation and questioning, suggesting that even natural phenomena can seem out of place or misaligned with expectations.

The conversation about the "wrong" direction of the wind and the philosophical musing, "‘It bloweth where it listeth,’" juxtaposed with the freedom found in love-making, captures the unpredictability of life and human actions.

The speaker's admission of something having gone wrong in the past, followed by a reluctance to elaborate, introduces a sense of mystery and unresolved tension.

The inquisitive response, probing into the nature of how things can be perceived as "wrong," reflects a deeper inquiry into the nature of subjective experience and the search for understanding.

The imagery of the speaker multitasking, dialing a cellphone and digging at pebbles, contrasts mundane activities with the more profound contemplation occurring in the dialogue.

The mention of braids on horsehair cushions and the description of the armchair as "lugubrious" adds to the poem's atmospheric detail, enhancing its contemplative mood.

The call to change the furniture and fumigate the house, along with revisiting the beginnings of the relationship, symbolizes a desire to renew or refresh, to start anew from a cleaner, clearer place.

The questioning of the "beginnings concept" and the assertion that there are no true beginnings, though perhaps some existed once, introduces a philosophical exploration of time and the inception of experiences or relationships.

The memory of stopping to look at a movie theater poster, being drawn into an unexpectedly crowded theater, and the realization of not fully knowing their own names captures a moment of self-discovery and alienation.

The closing scene, with the couple leaving quietly amid falling gray snow and twilight, paints a vivid picture of departure and the ephemeral nature of identity and understanding.

"Crossroads in the Past" is a thoughtfully constructed and visually evocative poem that invites readers to ponder the intricacies of memory, perception, and the complexities of human connections. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery, dialogic narrative, and introspective thought creates a piece that resonates with the depth and nuance of the human experience.

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