Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"If You Said You Would Come With Me" by John Ashbery transports the reader into a narrative that oscillates between the mundane and the surreal, a characteristic feature of Ashbery's poetry. The poem opens with a dichotomy between the urban and rural landscapes, setting the stage for a journey that traverses both physical and metaphysical spaces.

The mention of cows covering the hills and moist clouds immediately situates the reader in a pastoral setting, contrasting sharply with the urbanity of the town. This juxtaposition serves as a metaphor for the internal conflict within the speaker, navigating between different realms of existence and consciousness.

The walk with Anna is interrupted by a deep, bell-like sound, which Anna attributes to the haunting return of words spoken in the past. This auditory phenomenon introduces a theme of temporal fluidity and the persistence of memory, suggesting that past utterances and experiences continue to resonate and influence the present.

The narrative then shifts to a rooftop party, where the speaker's introduction to the guests as Hans and the subsequent indifference of the partygoers add an element of alienation and disconnection. The party, set against the backdrop of orchards and vineyards, symbolizes a moment of communal gathering, yet the speaker remains an outsider, unable to fully integrate into the scene.

The woman who greets the speaker and Anna brings attention to the grape harvest and the mediocrity of the year's vintage. This conversation about the harvest and the passage of seasons subtly underscores the theme of time's relentless march and the cyclical nature of life.

The speaker's abrupt departure from the party, driven by discomfort with the mind-reading abilities of the guests, highlights a desire for privacy and autonomy in one's thoughts. Anna's revelation that she, too, is a mind reader further complicates the dynamics between the characters, blurring the boundaries between the known and the unknown, the seen and the unseen.

The concluding lines, "‘We are all strangers on our own turf, in our own time.’ You should have paid attention. Now adjustments will have to be made," resonate with a sense of existential estrangement. They suggest that despite our efforts to understand and control our surroundings and our fate, there remains an inherent unfamiliarity and unpredictability in our existence.

Overall, "If You Said You Would Come With Me" is a reflection on the complexities of human relationships, the haunting presence of the past, and the elusive nature of understanding and belonging in a world that is constantly shifting and evolving. Ashbery's poetic language invites the reader to contemplate the intersections of memory, perception, and the passage of time.

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