Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "Instead of Losing" is a poignant, elliptical poem that navigates the complexities of memory, identity, and the passage of time. This piece speaks to the perplexity of life's journey, both individual and collective. It opens with the lines, "Anyone, growing up in a space you hadn't used yet / would've done the same," immediately raising questions about the universality and uniqueness of human experience. The "space you hadn't used yet" could be metaphorical, pointing to the untapped potentials or unforeseen circumstances that shape us as we "grow up."

The poem employs an array of images and allusions that seem disconnected but work collectively to form a tapestry of ambiguity. It discusses "bother[ing] the family's bickering," hinting at a universal experience of family tension, then immediately shifts to a maritime metaphor of "head[ing] straight into the channel." These elements float in a stream of consciousness, akin to navigating through a channel of memories, observations, and emotions.

The line "instead of losing, and the odd confusion...confusion" seems to be the crux around which the poem oscillates. The experience of not losing but being caught in "odd confusion" feels like a strange middle ground-neither triumph nor loss, but a liminal space that often characterizes human existence.

The phrase "I thought of it then, and in the mountains" resonates with a sense of timelessness, as if these thoughts or experiences recur, independent of time and space. It's as though the speaker is on a constant quest, "perforating the eponymous city limits," seeking to understand or outgrow the limitations imposed by society or self.

The poem is populated with surreal and disjointed images like "eleven thousand virgins," "bald arbiters," "muskrat," and "Red Seal Records." While they may appear haphazard, these images reflect the rich tapestry of life, filled with its oddities, misadventures, and serendipities. They convey a sense of life's unpredictability and the inability to control our destinies fully.

The last stanza poses a question about preference for living in different times-either past or present. The "radio / we heard news on late at night" functions as a symbol of our collective experiences, with "checkered fortunes so pretty" suggesting a mixed bag of good and bad that makes life both frustrating and beautiful.

In essence, Ashbery's "Instead of Losing" defies easy interpretation but provokes deep reflection. Its multifaceted images, disconnected narratives, and intermingled timelines challenge the reader to grapple with the complexities and uncertainties inherent in human existence. The poem encapsulates the bewilderment and wonder of living in a world that is constantly shifting and, more often than not, leaving us in a state of "odd confusion."

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...