Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "These Lacustrine Cities" stands as a multi-layered work of art that addresses complex relationships between history, human nature, and existential concerns. The term "lacustrine" refers to something related to lakes, and in this poem, it metaphorically suggests cities built beside or around lakes. Yet, these "lacustrine cities" are more than just geographical locations; they serve as a metaphorical space that holds the collective consciousness, history, and emotional states of humanity.

The poem opens with a statement about how the cities "grew out of loathing," which implies that human civilization often arises from negative emotional states or challenging circumstances. The cities are "angry with history," showing a sense of collective resentment or regret for the past, yet they have grown "into something forgetful." This forgetfulness can be seen as both a blessing and a curse: it enables moving forward but at the cost of disregarding lessons from the past.

The notion that these cities "are the product of an idea" also highlights the power and limitations of human thought. Ashbery provides an example: "that man is horrible," suggesting that ideas can shape not only cities but also societal norms and self-perceptions. This recognition of human fallibility could be a critique of the destructive potential in human nature, a potential that is counterbalanced by the same capacity for ideas, planning, and creation.

The cities are described as evolving until they reach a zenith-a tower "controlled the sky," a symbol of human achievement and domination over nature. However, this isn't the endpoint; the cities "dip back into the past for swans and tapering branches," referencing a longing for natural beauty and a simpler time. There's an inevitable transformation of "hate" into "useless love," pointing to the transient nature of human emotion and intention. Despite the struggles and challenges, Ashbery suggests that what remains is an "idea of yourself" and the emptiness of existence, perhaps hinting at the existential concern for individual meaning in the face of societal complexities.

The second half of the poem turns toward a more personal reflection. It suggests that despite life's unpredictability and challenges ("The worst is not over"), one will still find happiness-perhaps because human existence is governed by a logic that transcends any particular situation or climate. This speaks to the adaptability and resilience of human nature.

In the end, the reader is left with a nuanced, bittersweet understanding of the human condition. Ashbery acknowledges both the heights of human achievement and the depths of human emotion ("Tender and insouciant by turns"). The final lines poignantly summarize the dualities in human life, from the ephemeral nature of desire ("wind is desire starching a petal") to the ability to find beauty even in sorrow ("disappointment broke into a rainbow of tears").

Thus, "These Lacustrine Cities" offers a nuanced meditation on the complexities of human civilization and psyche. It embraces the messiness of history, the power and limitations of ideas, and the enduring search for meaning amid life's contradictions.

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