Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Girls on the Run: 2" by John Ashbery is a narrative poem that unfolds like a fragmented, dreamlike story, blending mundane and fantastical elements. The poem opens with a character named Tidbit approaching a crone for honey, which symbolizes sweetness and nourishment but also carries an air of mystery. The scene then shifts to Tidbit's housecoat, which personifies the garment, giving it the ability to sense or "sniff" the past.

The narrative moves to a relaxed Diane and Pete, who seems to be talking about the afternoon. This section introduces a theme of time, particularly the past, intruding into the present. Ashbery's use of surreal imagery, such as a fight with garbage, adds a layer of absurdity and unpredictability to the poem.

The story continues with the return of Pete and others, including a dog named Rags. The mention of a "fuse" could symbolize a potential for explosive revelation or discovery. The mention of the crops and an abandoned silo hints at a rural setting, adding a touch of nostalgia and decay.

The poem then delves into a sequence of images and scenes that seem to be disconnected yet are bound by a sense of mystery and anticipation. The mention of a pastel tent and flags suggests a festive or ceremonial occasion, while the reference to a flood washing over the day symbolizes a cleansing or transformative force.

As the poem progresses, the narrative becomes increasingly abstract, with references to anagrams, messages in the stars, and scouts in corn shocks. These elements contribute to a sense of a larger, unseen force at work, guiding or influencing the characters' actions.

The poem concludes with a shift to a more concrete scene of voting, indicating a communal decision-making process. The mention of closing a shaftway and a subway brings the narrative back to a more urban setting, contrasting with the earlier rural imagery. The closing lines, with the characters boarding a bus and entering a "dim place of curlicues and bas-reliefs," suggest a transition to a new phase or chapter, both literally and metaphorically.

Overall, "Girls on the Run: 2" is a richly layered poem that blends surreal imagery with a sense of narrative progression. Ashbery's use of diverse characters, settings, and themes creates a tapestry of meaning that invites multiple interpretations, reflecting the complexity and ambiguity of human experience.