Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's poem "Ice Cream in America" is a playful and vivid exploration of the everyday and the extraordinary, a characteristic approach of Ashbery's work. The poem's title evokes a sense of Americana and the simple pleasures of life, which Ashbery often juxtaposes with more complex or abstract ideas.

The opening lines, “All of us getting our licks and then some: the proud with the small those who fell off the canvas and reappeared downstream,” immediately establish a tone of inclusivity and continuity. The phrase "getting our licks" could be interpreted literally as enjoying ice cream, a universal symbol of simple pleasure, or metaphorically as experiencing life with its ups and downs. The reference to falling "off the canvas" and reappearing "downstream" suggests a cycle of disappearance and reappearance, a theme often explored in Ashbery's poetry, where the boundaries between reality and abstraction are blurred.

The mention of someone who “always forgets her pills, reverses herself, takes some” paints a picture of everyday forgetfulness and the mundane routines of life. This line anchors the poem in the real world, even as it delves into more surreal imagery. The “hen thinks chicks,” a simple, natural image, contrasts with the “man in the room, profile,” which introduces a human element, suggesting introspection or isolation.

The poem then transitions to a more expansive and optimistic view with the lines, “We wake up, admire the day, let our shoes take us where they will.” This suggests a spontaneous approach to life, an openness to experience and the joys of the everyday. The “glorious” weather and the encouragement to “Fill your cap with nuts” convey a sense of abundance and the enjoyment of life's small pleasures.

"Ice Cream in America" is reflective of Ashbery's style, which often combines ordinary scenes with a sense of whimsy and surrealism. The poem invites readers to find joy and wonder in the everyday, to embrace life's journey with its unpredictability and simple delights. Ashbery's ability to transform the mundane into something rich and strange is evident in this poem, which celebrates both the ordinary and the extraordinary aspects of life.

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