Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Many Wagons Ago" by John Ashbery is a poem that delves into the themes of memory, presence, and the elusive nature of understanding and perception. Ashbery's style is marked by his use of abstraction and surreal imagery, which allows for a multitude of interpretations and reflections.

The opening lines, "At first it was as though you had passed, / But then no, I said, he is still here," suggest a moment of realization or correction in the speaker's perception. This could refer to a memory, a person, or a thought that seemed to have faded but is still present in some form. The "Forehead refreshed. A light is kindled" could symbolize a renewed awareness or an insight.

The imagery of lights like weeds in a "wide berth" conveys a sense of abundance and uncontrollable growth. It suggests a sprawling expanse of thoughts, memories, or experiences that are overwhelming in their number and complexity. The speaker notes that nothing in this expanse "Stays to listen," implying a transient or ephemeral quality to these elements, as well as a sense of solitude or lack of connection.

The line "Doubled up, fun is inside, / The lair a surface compact with the night" hints at an inner world or consciousness that is rich and complex, yet obscured or enigmatic. This inner realm is likened to a "lair" that is intimately connected with the mysteries of the night.

The poem then introduces the idea of "intervention" through the metaphor of stitching. This could be interpreted as an attempt to make sense of, or find coherence in, the fragmented and chaotic experiences of life. The "false equation" and the "Enchanting blue shrubbery" may represent deceptive appearances or the allure of superficial understandings that fail to capture the true nature of things.

The concluding lines, "How easily we could spell if we could follow, / Like thread looped through the eye of a needle, / The grooves of light," suggest a longing for clarity and comprehension. The "grooves of light" could symbolize a path or direction that, if followed, might lead to understanding. However, the poem acknowledges that this path "resists" and that we are left "among them, / The injured, the adored," perhaps signifying the shared human condition of struggling to find meaning amid the complexities of life.

In summary, "Many Wagons Ago" is a contemplative poem that explores the challenges of comprehension and connection in the face of life's complexities and uncertainties. Ashbery's use of evocative and ambiguous imagery invites the reader to engage with the poem on multiple levels, reflecting on their own experiences of memory, presence, and understanding.

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