Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Day at the Gate" by John Ashbery is a thought-provoking and vividly descriptive poem that explores themes of change, disconnection, and the surreal nature of everyday life. Ashbery, known for his abstract and often enigmatic style, crafts a narrative that is both imaginative and contemplative, inviting deep reflection on the nature of contemporary existence and the human experience of the ordinary turned extraordinary.

The poem opens with a shift from the mundane grinding of traffic to a "loose and dispiriting wind," setting a tone of change and perhaps a sense of unease or aimlessness. This change in the atmosphere suggests a transition from the mechanical to the natural, albeit in a disheartening form.

The imagery of clouds from the distillery blotting out the sky adds a layer of industrialization to the natural world, further complicating the scene with the impact of human activity. The plummeting sales of ocarinas, a whimsical detail, introduces a sense of economic downturn or shifting cultural interests.

The reference to Aladdin's lamp as a potential remedy for the situation adds a touch of fantasy and longing for magical solutions to real-world problems.

The speaker's location "Among architecture, magazines, recycled fish" paints a picture of urban life, filled with cultural artifacts and repurposed materials, indicative of a society that is both consuming and preserving.

The waiting for wear and tear to show up on a personal chart speaks to the anticipation of aging or the effects of time and experience on the individual.

The casual send-off, "Good luck, bonne chance," and the mention of zithers and ondes Martenot, an early electronic musical instrument, create an eclectic and slightly surreal atmosphere, blending traditional and modern elements.

The line "What comes this way withers / automatically" suggests a pessimistic view of inevitability and decline, perhaps in the context of societal or personal fortunes.

The metaphor of a mercurial teardrop glossing over classified documents juxtaposes personal emotion with political or secretive matters, adding a layer of intrigue and complexity.

The description of other softnesses declining the angles of waiting and the image of a tall, pissed-off figure, dressed in contemporary clothes and holding an umbrella, conjures a vivid, almost cinematic scene that is both specific and ambiguous.

The figure's shooshing sound and assertion of needing the listener, coupled with the prediction that the sky will be kelly green, adds to the poem's dreamlike and unpredictable quality, suggesting a world where the unexpected is the norm.

"Day at the Gate" is a contemplative and richly layered poem that invites readers to ponder the intricacies of contemporary life, the interplay of the mundane and the surreal, and the human experience of navigating a world full of contrasts and uncertainties. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and introspective narrative creates a piece that resonates with the depth and complexity of modern existence.

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