Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Train Rising Out of the Sea" by John Ashbery presents an abstract yet deeply philosophical journey into the concepts of time, existence, and social interaction. Ashbery starts by mentioning the "Book of Usable Minutes," a mythical record perhaps symbolizing the impermanence and fleeting nature of life. This concept suggests that the true essence of any entity is embedded in its temporality, in "their center in their dying." The passage of time is portrayed as a trillion-year voyage, one where friendship and social recognition become possible only when our lives have navigated the vast ocean of existence.

The poem then twists into the idea that the past forms the basis of our social selves. The wind, personified as not dying but singing, brings about a song of collective history, woven from both personal and public precedents. This song becomes so monumental that it solidifies into "an institution," not by choice but by sheer weight and presence. Ashbery questions the notion that the durability of collective memory is a "deliberate act," suggesting that sometimes things persist not by intention but by their innate nature, like an "era that refuses to come to an end or be born again."

The text's lyrical quality comes into play with its focus on the natural elements like the sky and the sea. These elements are not merely backdrop but act as metaphorical lenses through which the complex human condition is filtered. "We need more night for the sky, more blue for the daylight" speaks to our need for space to contemplate, to think before we speak, as the 'daylight' has a habit of overwhelming our thoughts before they can even be fully formed. This encapsulates the universal struggle to hold onto a piece of ourselves while being swept up in the rush of existence.

The poem concludes with a metaphor that equates the individual to an island that, despite its isolation, serves an abstract purpose. Just like an island, a human being has a role in the larger scheme of things, even if this role seems distant and not immediately evident. The island, "Built to prevent you from being towed to shore," becomes an emblem of individuality, autonomy, and the internal anchor that prevents us from losing ourselves to society's currents.

"Train Rising Out of the Sea" offers a contemplative journey through time, existence, and the social fabric that binds us. Ashbery leaves us pondering our own roles in this grand scheme, challenging us to reconcile our individuality with our collective responsibilities. The poem serves as a vessel that sails through the deep waters of existential queries, anchoring us in a state of wonder and introspection.

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