Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "Blessing in Disguise" is a deeply introspective and lyrical poem that explores themes of self-identity, desire, and the interplay between the self and the other. Known for his complex and often enigmatic style, Ashbery creates a narrative that is both evocative and elusive, inviting deep contemplation and interpretation.

The opening lines, "Yes, they are alive and can have those colors, But I, in my soul, am alive too," immediately establish a tone of affirmation of life and self-awareness. The acknowledgment of the vibrancy in others is juxtaposed with a profound sense of personal vitality and existence.

The desire to "sing and dance, to tell / Of this in a way, that knowing you may be drawn to me" speaks to the longing for connection and expression, to communicate one's inner world in hopes of forging a bond with another.

Ashbery's reflection on singing "amid despair and isolation" and the chance to know the other, to whom the speaker is singing, captures the human experience of finding connection and understanding in the midst of loneliness and hardship.

The imagery of being held up to the light and the looming great spruces creates a vivid and somewhat surreal scene, suggesting both revelation and the overshadowing presence of something larger or more profound.

The speaker's expression of desire and the yearning for a shared existence, as symbolized by the room with chairs turned away from the light, evokes a sense of intimacy and a retreat from the external world.

The pledge to be truthful and the inability to stop remembering the other person underscore a deep emotional connection and commitment, highlighting the poem's exploration of memory and fidelity.

Ashbery's use of plural "you" and the call for the other to come "all golden and pale / Like the dew and the air" introduces a sense of longing and idealization, merging the other with elements of nature.

The conclusion, with the speaker getting a feeling of exaltation, captures a moment of emotional climax, a culmination of the longing, desire, and introspection that pervades the poem.

"Blessing in Disguise" is a contemplative and layered poem that invites readers to ponder the complexities of self-identity, desire, and the interplay between the self and the other. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery and abstract thought creates a narrative that resonates with the depth and richness of the human experience.

POEM TEXT:  https://verse.press/poem/a-blessing-in-disguise-782982126487060446

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