Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Full Tilt" by John Ashbery presents a collage of images and ideas that flow in a stream-of-consciousness style, characteristic of Ashbery's work. The poem traverses various themes and scenarios, often with abrupt shifts, creating a mosaic of contemporary life's complexities and absurdities.

The opening line, "Disturbing news emanates from the wind tunnel," immediately sets a tone of uncertainty and unpredictability. This could symbolize the chaotic nature of the modern world, where information is constant and often overwhelming. The mention of "He’s gone, who never lacked for champions," suggests the loss of a significant figure, perhaps a metaphor for the passing of traditional values or certainties in a rapidly changing society.

The phrase "killed by daylight saving time, or a terrible syllabus accident" injects a darkly comedic element, playing with the idea of being overwhelmed by the mundane or bureaucratic aspects of life.

The following lines, "The dead leaves, maple or aspen, are a sign of life. Let’s leave things as they are," evoke a sense of resignation or acceptance of the natural cycle of life and death. This contrasts with the human desire to control or change circumstances, highlighted in the poem's earlier parts.

Ashbery's mention of "taking chances" and its consequence leading "to the root of human misery" reflects on the risks and uncertainties inherent in human choices and actions.

The poem then shifts to a more intimate tone with "Misery, get up, get down. Your hair is a mess and your dress a fright." This could be interpreted as a personification of misery, depicting it in a disheveled, humanized form, suggesting that suffering is an intrinsic part of the human condition.

As the poem progresses, it delves into themes of pretense and reality, as seen in the lines about the whore who is "repackaged" in a store window. This could symbolize the commodification and superficiality of modern society, where appearances are often valued over substance.

The poem concludes with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation, as the speaker reflects on missed opportunities and the promise of future possibilities. The final lines, "Then this scene too faded away like a fable," suggest the ephemeral nature of experiences and the fleeting quality of life itself.

Overall, "Full Tilt" is a complex and layered poem that defies easy interpretation. It weaves together disparate images and ideas to create a tapestry of modern life's paradoxes and perplexities, inviting the reader to explore the nuances of Ashbery's rich poetic landscape.

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