Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's poem "Our Youth" is a complex and evocative exploration of memory, the passage of time, and the process of maturation. Characteristic of Ashbery's style, the poem is rich with imagery and allusion, weaving together disparate elements into a tapestry that reflects on the nature of youth and experience.

The poem opens with a question about the origins of a structure made of bricks, suggesting a curiosity about the foundations of our own histories and identities. The metaphor of a "crazy balloon" when love leans on us introduces the theme of the transformative and sometimes destabilizing power of love in our youth.

The "velvety pavement" that sticks to feet and the image of "dead puppies" turning us back on love evoke a sense of loss and disillusionment, common in the transition from youth to adulthood. This imagery suggests the harsh realities that often temper the idealism of youth.

The poem then shifts to a surreal landscape, with brick arches leading to rooms like bubbles or to a fallen leaf. This could symbolize the fragile and transient nature of youthful dreams and experiences – easily broken or ephemeral.

The line "We got crazy with emotion, showing how much we knew" reflects the intensity and overconfidence of youth, a time when emotions run high and there is a desire to prove oneself. The mention of "The Arabs" and the discovery of coffee in Canada introduces a sense of exploration and the broadening of horizons that often occurs in youth.

The reference to Chopin and the discovery of coffee grounds, along with the "wonder of hands," suggests a deepening awareness of the world's complexities and beauties. The poignant moment of a child discovering a "first dead hand" symbolizes the inevitable encounter with mortality and the loss of innocence.

The series of questions that follow – about observation, flowers, and evil – speak to the questioning nature of youth, the search for understanding and meaning in a confusing world.

The declaration "Our youth is dead" marks a turning point in the poem, signifying the end of innocence and the beginning of a more mature perspective. The "advancing into mountain light" suggests a movement toward enlightenment or a higher understanding.

The imagery of a young boy with a monocle, the passing of a potential father figure, and the covering of a dead body with green and yellow handkerchiefs evoke themes of loss, transition, and the complex relationships between generations.

The final lines of the poem, with references to dry clothes, a naked girl crossing the street, and the "ridiculous / Vases of porphyry," suggest a return to the mundane and material aspects of life. The statement "It's true we have not avoided our destiny / By weeding out the old people" reflects on the inevitability of aging and the continuity of life's cycle.

The conclusion, with faces filled with smoke and an escape down a "cloud ladder," suggests a retreat from the harsh realities of the world, yet acknowledges that the "problem" – perhaps the problem of aging, loss, or existential angst – remains unsolved.

In summary, "Our Youth" by John Ashbery is a poignant and intricately woven poem that captures the complexities of youth, the transition to adulthood, and the universal journey of coming to terms with time, loss, and the inevitability of change. Through vivid imagery and a non-linear narrative, Ashbery invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of youth, the passage of time, and the enduring quest for understanding and meaning in life.

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