Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Haunted Landscape" by John Ashbery is a richly textured poem that weaves together themes of memory, change, and the elusive nature of time. Ashbery's work often navigates the boundaries between the real and the imagined, and this poem is no exception, blurring the lines between tangible landscapes and the landscapes of the mind.

The poem begins with a scene of tranquility, a "blurred afternoon slope" where the presence of people is only indicated by their absence. This setting evokes a sense of nostalgia and loss, hinting at the impermanence of human experiences and activities. The mention of "picnickers" who "had left no trace" and "hikers" who "greeted you silently" creates a ghostly atmosphere, as if the landscape itself holds the memories of those who passed through it.

In the following stanzas, the poem delves into the domestic realm, with imagery of gardening and the cultivation of land. The characters in the poem—unspecified in their identities—engage in activities that symbolize hope and future growth ("hoe the land," "so much fruitfulness"). However, there is an underlying sense of futility in these endeavors, as the poem contemplates the eventual upheaval and transformation of the land. The reference to a "farm that would later have to be uprooted" and the "new plains and mountains that would follow after" suggests the inevitability of change and the transient nature of human efforts.

As the poem progresses, it reflects on the passage of time and the way it shapes our perception of life. The landscape becomes a metaphor for life's journey, with its "petty ordering of our days" leading to an ultimate conclusion that is both mysterious and inevitable. The poem captures the human desire to find meaning and continuity in the face of change, even as it acknowledges the inscrutability of life's processes.

The final stanzas introduce an element of the supernatural or dreamlike, with a "miracle" that consists of nothing happening—a paradox that underscores the enigmatic quality of existence. The poem closes with a scene that is both eerie and serene, where the protagonist is offered a choice by a stranger, reflecting the ambiguity of decision-making and the unknown consequences of our choices.

"Haunted Landscape" is a meditation on the human condition, exploring the ways in which we seek to understand and find significance in the world around us. Ashbery's language is evocative and elusive, inviting multiple interpretations and encouraging readers to contemplate the mysteries of time, memory, and existence.

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

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