Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"More Pleasant Adventures" by John Ashbery delves into the complexities of human experience, capturing the transient nature of happiness and the inevitable progression of time. Ashbery's work often navigates the realms of the surreal and the mundane, and this poem is no exception, as it weaves through various phases of life's journey with a blend of clarity and obscurity.

The opening line, “The first year was like icing,” suggests an initial phase of sweetness and ease, akin to the superficially pleasing layer on a cake. However, as the poem progresses, “the cake started to show through,” indicating that beneath the surface, the more substantive, perhaps less idealized aspects of life begin to emerge. This transition from the superficial to the real reflects a common human experience where initial excitement or novelty gives way to the deeper, more complex realities of a situation.

Ashbery's line, “Suddenly you are interested in some new thing / And can’t tell how you got here,” speaks to the often unpredictable and meandering path of life. It reflects the human tendency to shift interests and directions, sometimes without clear understanding or rationale, highlighting the fluid and often disorienting nature of our life’s journey.

The phrase, “like a smoke— / The words get heavy, some topple over, you break others,” metaphorically represents the challenges of communication and expression. It suggests that even in moments of happiness, there can be a kind of confusion or ambiguity, much like smoke clouding a clear path.

The poem then takes a turn towards a more reflective tone with, “Heck, it’s anybody’s story,” suggesting a universality in these experiences. The “sentimental journey” mentioned is a metaphor for life itself, a journey filled with nostalgia, memories, and a spectrum of emotions.

Ashbery beautifully captures the essence of existential realization with, “We haven’t moved an inch, and everything has changed.” This line conveys a paradoxical truth about life – how one can feel stationary in their personal growth or physical situation while the world around them undergoes constant transformation.

The imagery of being “somewhere near a tennis court at night” adds a layer of ambiguity and mystery, typical of Ashbery’s style, leaving the scene open to interpretation. This could symbolize a place of pause or reflection in the journey of life.

Towards the end, “In the rash of partings and dyings (the new twist),” the poem acknowledges the inevitability of change, loss, and the end of things as part of life's cycle. Yet, there’s a hint of optimism or acceptance in “Whatever happens will be quite ingenious.” This suggests a recognition of life’s capacity for renewal and unexpected developments, even in the face of adversity.

Finally, the poem closes with a contemplative note on the continuity of life and art, implying that despite the turmoil and the disputes of life, the creation and appreciation of art (symbolized by paintings) remain constant.

In "More Pleasant Adventures," Ashbery encapsulates the ebb and flow of human experience, the constant search for meaning, and the acceptance of life’s unpredictability and impermanence, all while maintaining a tone of thoughtful observation and reflective insight.

POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/more-pleasant-adventures

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