Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Frost" by John Ashbery is an evocative and complex poem that explores themes of disorientation, uncertainty, and the search for meaning in a perplexing world. The poem begins with the speaker feeling trapped in a “wrong dream,” immediately establishing a sense of dislocation and confusion. This metaphorical entrapment in an ill-suited dream conveys a profound sense of existential unease, a recurring theme in Ashbery’s work.

As the speaker moves from an alley into a “wide, weak street,” there’s a transition from confinement to a more open, yet still unsettling, space. The surreal image of mirrors falling from trees intensifies the dream-like, disorienting quality of the poem. This motif of reflection could symbolize the search for self-understanding in a world that constantly shifts and defies easy interpretation.

The notion of “refinancing the mess of starting / And staying put” suggests a desire to renegotiate one’s place or path in life. It reflects the human inclination to reassess and potentially alter one’s course, amidst the chaos and uncertainty of existence. The reference to “rumors” further underscores the idea of life being influenced by unverified or ambiguous information, contributing to the sense of uncertainty.

The poem contrasts the experiences of different people in facing life’s challenges: for some, the journey is “sublime and well lit,” while for others, it’s a “curious picture / Of longing and distress.” This duality highlights the subjective nature of human experience, where perceptions and emotions vary greatly from person to person.

The “tall thing / Of importance” who dismantles himself, with his varying transparency and opaqueness, might symbolize a significant figure or concept in the speaker’s life that is both revealing and concealing. The metaphor suggests the complexity of understanding influential forces or people in our lives.

The “secret chamber” where once only a king could enter, now accessible to young people, signifies a democratization of knowledge or experience. However, the casual conversation about mundane topics like bicycles indicates a potential underappreciation or unawareness of the profundity of this access.

Ashbery’s poem then shifts to a contemplation of darkness and its quick encroachment, perhaps a metaphor for the inevitable approach of ignorance, confusion, or the end of life. The speaker reflects on the strangeness of life and the burden of keeping secrets in a world that is both familiar and baffling.

The ending lines express a poignant longing for clarity and simplicity in communication, a desire to express “familiar things” in an increasingly complex and enigmatic world. The speaker questions their own status and relationship with the divine, pondering over existential themes of worthiness and spiritual exhaustion.

In summary, "Frost" is a reflective and introspective poem that delves into the human psyche, exploring our struggles with understanding our place in a world that is both beautiful and bewildering. Ashbery’s use of vivid imagery and nuanced language paints a picture of life as a labyrinthine journey filled with moments of clarity, confusion, and profound introspection.

POEM TEXT: https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1987-05-04/flipbook/036/

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