Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Some Trees" by John Ashbery is a contemplative poem that marvels at the natural world, drawing parallels between the interconnectedness of trees and human relationships. Through its lyrical exploration of connection, communication, and the inherent beauty of existence, the poem reflects on the ways in which nature mirrors and informs human experiences of love, understanding, and belonging. Through an analysis of the poem's thematic concerns, its structure and form, and the stylistic elements that characterize Ashbery's poetic voice, this examination aims to delve into the intricacies of "Some Trees" and situate it within the broader context of his work and contemporary poetry.

The opening lines of the poem, "These are amazing: each / Joining a neighbor, as though speech / Were a still performance," immediately establish a sense of wonder and admiration for the trees and their silent form of communication. Ashbery personifies the trees, suggesting that their act of joining with one another is akin to a conversation, albeit one that is quiet and contemplative rather than spoken aloud. This imagery sets the tone for the poem, highlighting the quiet yet profound connections that define both the natural world and human relationships.

The phrase "Arranging by chance / To meet as far this morning / From the world as agreeing / With it, you and I" shifts the focus from the trees to the speaker and the addressee, drawing a parallel between the random, yet seemingly intentional, connections among trees and the meeting of two individuals. This comparison suggests a deeper resonance between human lives and the natural order, emphasizing the serendipity and significance of such encounters.

Ashbery's assertion that the trees try "To tell us we are: / That their merely being there / Means something" speaks to the poem's exploration of presence and the search for meaning. The trees, by virtue of their existence, convey a message of significance and belonging, mirroring the human desire to find meaning and connection in life.

The lines "And glad not to have invented / Such comeliness, we are surrounded: / A silence already filled with noises" express a sense of relief and contentment in the face of nature's beauty, which requires no human invention. This acknowledgment of the trees' comeliness and the filled silence around them underscores the poem's appreciation for the natural world's inherent perfection and the way it complements human experiences.

The conclusion of the poem, with its references to "A chorus of smiles, a winter morning" and the "puzzling light" in which the days move, captures the quiet joy and mystery that permeate both the natural world and human existence. The notion that the days put on "such reticence" and that these "accents seem their own defense" suggests a delicate balance between expression and restraint, between revealing and concealing, that characterizes both the trees' silent communication and human interactions.

The structure of "Some Trees," characterized by free verse and a fluid, associative logic, mirrors the poem's thematic exploration of connection and the subtle, often unspoken ways in which individuals and the natural world interact. This structural choice supports the poem's contemplation of the ephemeral, yet profound, nature of these connections.

Stylistically, "Some Trees" is marked by Ashbery's evocative language and his ability to infuse the ordinary with a sense of the extraordinary. His work invites readers into a space of reflection and interpretation, encouraging a personal and reflective engagement with its themes and questions.

In the broader context of Ashbery's oeuvre and postmodern literature, "Some Trees" reflects the movement's engagement with questions of identity, the instability of language, and the fragmentary nature of reality. The poem, with its nuanced exploration of these themes and its open-endedness, exemplifies Ashbery's contribution to contemporary poetry's ongoing dialogue with the complexities of the human experience.

In conclusion, "Some Trees" by John Ashbery stands as a meditation on the interplay of the natural world and human experience, the seen and the unseen, and the search for meaning within the tapestry of existence. Through its intricate imagery, thematic depth, and stylistic innovation, the poem invites readers into a reflective engagement with the uncertainties and possibilities of existence, marking it as a significant work within Ashbery's distinguished body of work and the broader landscape of contemporary poetry.

POEM TEXT: https://www.writing.upenn.edu/~afilreis/88/some-trees.html

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