Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Mixed Feelings" by John Ashbery is a poem that encapsulates the complexity of memory, perception, and the passage of time through its evocative and surreal imagery. The poem is a characteristic Ashberian work, rich in ambiguous narratives and shifting perspectives.

The poem begins with the sensory experience of "a pleasant smell of frying sausages," immediately grounding the reader in a familiar, comforting setting. This is quickly juxtaposed with a "mostly invisible photograph" of girls lounging around a fighter bomber from the 1940s. The contrast between the domestic, comforting smell and the militaristic, historical image sets the stage for a poem filled with contrasts and temporal shifts.

Ashbery then delves into a reflection on the changes in society, pondering how to explain these to the girls in the photograph, who represent a different era. The girls are named with common names from the mid-20th century – Ruths, Lindas, Pats, and Sheilas – further emphasizing the historical distance. The poet muses on the difficulty of communication across time and the changes in societal "fabric."

The blurred visibility of the girls in the photograph suggests the fading of memory and history. Ashbery plays with the idea of perception and reality, questioning how much of what we see or remember is accurate or influenced by our present understanding.

The imagined conversation with the girls, their suggestion to go to a café, and their casual dismissal of the poet's presence create a playful, flirtatious tone. This lightness contrasts with the deeper themes of time and memory, highlighting the poet's ability to balance whimsy with profundity.

The reference to the "garment center" and the California sunlight indicates a geographical and temporal dislocation. The girls, draped over a fading fighter bomber, are out of place and time, existing in a liminal space between history and the present.

Ashbery's acknowledgment of the ephemeral nature of his contemplation of these girls – "I have already forgotten them" – speaks to the transient nature of memory and history. Yet, he imagines a future encounter, projecting the girls into a modern setting while preserving their youth and freshness. This meeting becomes a metaphor for the ongoing dialogue between past and present, where ideas, both "stupid" and "worthwhile," collide and coexist.

In "Mixed Feelings," Ashbery masterfully weaves a tapestry of images and thoughts that challenge the reader to contemplate the fluidity of time, the reliability of memory, and the ever-changing nature of societal norms. The poem is a reflection on the human condition, our connections to the past, and the constant evolution of ideas and perceptions.

POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/mixed-feelings#:~:text=from%20Self%2DPortrait%20in%20a,fighter%20bomber%2C%20circa%201942%20vintage.

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