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Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

ASHES, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Ashes" by Mary Jo Bang is a reflective and deeply evocative poem that grapples with themes of absence, loss, and the limitations of language in conveying the full depth of human experience. Through vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Bang explores the physical and emotional landscapes shaped by loss, utilizing a winter scene as a metaphor for the starkness and isolation that often accompany grief.

The poem opens with a monochromatic vision of a park under snow, where the only variance in this bleached scene is the "cat stripes" on a mound of dirt. This initial imagery sets a tone of subdued quietude and desolation, mirroring the internal state of the speaker. The mention of "cat stripes" subtly introduces the idea of presence within absence, a theme that permeates the poem. The monotony of the landscape suggests a numbness or emotional flatness that can follow in the aftermath of loss.

Bang then addresses the inherent challenge in describing loss, stating that "description...falls flat when distance is the fixed abyss." This line underscores the inadequacy of language to fully capture or bridge the chasm created by absence. The phrase "Wish you were here" is presented as a "hollow rejoindure," highlighting the emptiness of clichéd expressions of longing in the face of profound grief. The absence of tactile connection leaves the speaker relying on "touch-sight and sound," which are insufficient substitutes for physical presence.

The poem subtly shifts scenes to a cityscape where buses pass each other, presenting fleeting glimpses of faces "framed in black glass." This imagery evokes a sense of transience and disconnection among individuals, paralleling the broader theme of separation and the search for connection in the wake of loss. The mention of a museum standing as a "terminus" further explores the idea of endings and the artifacts we leave behind as markers of our existence.

Bang introduces the motif of the journey of the dead to "a next world," suggesting that it is preferable to be contained, whether in an "urn" or a "sarcophagus." The poem delves into the transformation of physical form into memory and legacy, with marble not being so much carved as "chiselled away" to reveal the form within. This process mirrors the way in which individuals are remembered and honored after death, their essence distilled into stories and memories.

The final stanza references the tale of Shahrazad from "One Thousand and One Nights," who, after telling stories for many nights to save her life, declares she is tired of talking. This allusion serves multiple purposes: it highlights the exhaustion that can come from the continual effort to keep memory alive, the realization that some outcomes cannot be changed through words alone, and the acceptance of a love that may never be fully reciprocated. The light Shahrazad sees symbolizes a moment of clarity or acceptance, perhaps mirroring the speaker's own reckoning with loss and the limitations of language.

"Ashes" by Mary Jo Bang is a profound meditation on the themes of absence, memory, and the inadequacy of language to fully encompass the depth of human experience. Through its stark imagery, contemplative tone, and symbolic references, the poem invites readers to reflect on the nature of loss and the ways in which we seek to connect and find meaning in the wake of absence. Bang's work, characterized by its emotional depth and lyrical precision, offers a nuanced exploration of grief and the human condition.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Apology_for_Want/1W-qSUDbYSYC?q=%22you+wandered%22&gbpv=1&bsq=ASHES#f=


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