Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"By an Earthquake" by John Ashbery is a kaleidoscopic and complex poem that reads like a series of disjointed, surreal vignettes, each presenting a unique and often bizarre scenario. Known for his abstract and often enigmatic style, Ashbery crafts a narrative that is both bewildering and intriguing, inviting deep reflection on the nature of storytelling, reality, and perception.

The poem features a multitude of characters, referred to mostly as variations of "A" (A, A-2, A-3, etc.), and presents an array of seemingly unrelated and fantastical incidents. This structure creates a sense of fragmentation and disorientation, reflecting the often chaotic and unpredictable nature of life and human experience.

Each vignette is rich with imagery and implication, yet the connections between them are elusive. This lack of clear connection forces the reader to engage with the poem on a more intuitive level, piecing together meaning from the juxtaposition of disparate elements.

The scenarios range from the mundane to the extraordinary, with themes of love, betrayal, adventure, and mystery. The frequent shifts in setting and situation create a dreamlike quality, where logic and linearity are abandoned in favor of a more associative and imaginative approach to narrative.

The use of questions and direct address to the reader ("Did I tell you your prints are ready, that you look as reckless as an enchanter emeritus...") further blurs the boundaries between the poem and the reader's reality, inviting personal interpretation and engagement.

Throughout the poem, there is a sense of underlying coherence or significance, as if each fragment is a piece of a larger, unseen puzzle. The reader is left to ponder the relationships between these fragments and the possible larger narrative they imply.

"By an Earthquake" is a thought-provoking and challenging poem that invites readers to immerse themselves in a world of surreal and disjointed narratives. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery and non-linear structure creates a narrative that resonates with the complexity and ambiguity of the human experience.

POEM TEXT: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49057/-by-an-earthquake

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