Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "Late Echo" grapples with the tension between the repetitive and the novel, offering a nuanced exploration into the realms of love, art, and self-awareness. The poem opens with a paradox: "there really is nothing left to write about," yet it becomes "necessary to write about the same old things." Here, Ashbery points to the tension between the need for fresh perspectives and the unavoidable repetitiveness of themes in art and life. This repetition is not static or mundane; it allows "love to continue and be gradually different." Thus, Ashbery suggests that repetition imbued with subtle differences serves as the lifeblood of both love and creativity.

The metaphor of "beehives and ants" operates on multiple levels. At one level, it reflects societal structures, the repeated patterns that constitute communal living. At another, it invokes the natural world to show the continuous yet nuanced cycles that sustain life. These structures "have to be re-examined eternally," signaling an ongoing engagement with what might superficially appear as mundane. By injecting "the color of the day" into these repeated patterns-varying it "from summer to winter"-the poem asserts the necessity of variety within repetition. This enables life and love to move at the "pace of an authentic Saraband," a slow, courtly dance, where things are "alive and resting" but not inert. The artistic and emotional realms need both new interpretations and eternal themes to sustain their vitality.

Ashbery then delves into the theme of "chronic inattention," highlighting the inescapable distractions and frenetic pace that characterize modern life. These distractions often prevent us from fully engaging with ourselves and the world around us. Interestingly, Ashbery doesn't denigrate this inattention but notes that it can become "conciliatory," indicating a kind of peace or acceptance that emerges precisely because we are not always focused. Here, inattention becomes a paradoxical gateway to a deeper, "unprepared knowledge of ourselves."

The "long tan plush shadows" and "talking engines of our day" serve as metaphors for the unconscious and the ceaseless chatter of daily life, respectively. They act in tandem, symbolizing the unexpected ways in which enlightenment can dawn on us. These elements speak "so deeply" into our unprepared selves that they transcend the routine, revealing insights even amidst the din of inattention.

In the final analysis, "Late Echo" is an ode to the balance between the repetitive and the novel, the conscious and the unconscious. Ashbery teaches us that beauty and understanding lie in embracing this duality. While the subjects of love, nature, and self may seem trite due to constant examination, the poem argues that it's through this very repetition-infused with slight but significant variations-that we find renewal, meaning, and a deeper understanding of the complexities of existence.

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...