Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"CLEPSYDRA," by John Ashbery, is a profound and intricately composed poem that contemplates themes of time, perception, and the elusive nature of truth. Ashbery, celebrated for his multifaceted and often abstract poetry, constructs a narrative rich in symbolism and introspection, inviting deep contemplation on the fluidity of experience and the nature of existence.

The poem's title, "CLEPSYDRA," refers to an ancient water clock, symbolizing the measurement of time and the continuous flow of moments. This imagery sets the tone for a meditation on the passage of time and the transient nature of life.

The opening lines introduce the idea of a disconnected or elusive authority, coupled with the vivid imagery of "sever sunshine" and a journey. This suggests a voyage through life, illuminated yet perhaps fragmented by the intensity of experiences and memories.

The speaker's contemplation of the "reason why it happened only since / You woke up" and the evaporation of steam from clouds amidst a hilly landscape signifies the awakening to reality and the recognition of life's complexities.

The contrast between the physicality of actions (carrying boxes, navigating neighborhoods) and the ethereal nature of thoughts and memories (the child's psalm, the distant glimpse of someone) highlights the interplay between the tangible and the intangible in human experience.

The poem's exploration of the "basic / Principle" behind existence and the comparison to a mirage suggests the elusive nature of understanding and the struggle to grasp the essence of reality.

The imagery of summer, expansion into draughts, and the dynamics of conversation (the reply waking easily, darting from untruth to moment) captures the ebb and flow of thoughts and the fleeting nature of moments.

Ashbery's contemplation of utterance, where each moment is both true and untrue, and the serpentine gesture hiding the truth, reflects the paradoxes and complexities of communication and perception.

The vivid description of the sky being torn "limb from limb" and the plea for grace illustrates the constant change and turmoil in the world, and the human desire for harmony or understanding.

The poem closes with a reflection on the nature of existence, where the light has gone, suggesting a fading of clarity or certainty. The potential for lines contracting into a plane symbolizes a return to simplicity or a fundamental essence, despite the complexity of life's experiences.

"CLEPSYDRA" is a thought-provoking and richly layered poem that invites readers to ponder the intricacies of time, perception, and the human quest for understanding. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and introspective narrative creates a piece that resonates with the depth and complexity of the human condition.

POEM TEXT: https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/4105294/mod_resource/content/1/JOHN%20ASHBERY%20SELECTED%20POEMS.pdf

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