Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Hod Carrier" by John Ashbery is a richly layered poem that weaves together themes of identity, time, and the existential experience of life. The poem's title itself, "Hod Carrier," refers to a person who carries supplies to masons, symbolizing the idea of carrying burdens or responsibilities, possibly in the construction of one's life or identity.

The opening lines, "You have been declining the land’s / Breakable extensions, median whose face is half my face," suggest a confrontation with the self or another entity that mirrors the speaker. This duality or reflection could represent the internal struggle of understanding oneself or the complexity of relationships with others.

The poem continues with evocative imagery: "After a dry summer, fucking in the autumn," which juxtaposes the barrenness of summer with the passion of autumn. This contrast may symbolize the cyclical nature of life and emotions, transitioning from barrenness to fertility.

Ashbery's language throughout the poem is characterized by its fluidity and abrupt shifts, reflecting the unpredictability and complexity of life. Phrases like "the wise smile / Of winter fitted over the land" and "the present, so flat in its belief," evoke a sense of time passing and the different perspectives or 'seasons' one experiences in life.

The poem's structure, with its fragmented and non-linear narrative, mirrors the way memory and thought often work, jumping from one idea to another, sometimes without clear connections. This style contributes to the sense of introspection and contemplation that pervades the poem.

Towards the end, the poem shifts to a more reflective tone: "Each wasp meant to look the way it did / And the sorrowing whole also." This passage suggests an acceptance or acknowledgment of the way things are, including both the beauty and the sorrow inherent in existence.

Finally, the poem concludes with an image of aging and mortality: "All aging is perpetual chatter / On these buff planes, protuberances / And you are in the wind at night." This ending brings a sense of resignation or acceptance of the inevitable passage of time and the approach of death.

In summary, "Hod Carrier" is a contemplative poem that explores themes of self-identity, the passage of time, and the human condition. Ashbery's use of vivid imagery, combined with the fluid and fragmented structure of the poem, creates a tapestry of thoughts and reflections that invite the reader to ponder the complexities of life.

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