Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Merrily We Live" by John Ashbery presents a collage of surreal and whimsical scenes that seem to be drawn from a dreamlike or fantastical world. The poem is characterized by Ashbery's signature blend of playful absurdity, unexpected imagery, and narrative ambiguity.

The poem opens with a description of a scene where drums allow for music to be played between their beats. This sets the tone for a world where the ordinary is twisted into the extraordinary. The mention of a clown and a donkey in a distressing interaction further heightens the sense of a carnivalesque, bizarre setting. The surrealism is amplified by the presence of "three-legged midgets," adding to the chaotic and whimsical atmosphere.

Ashbery then shifts to a seemingly disconnected scene involving pollen and magnolia blossoms. The reference to "clusters of pollen blot[ting] out the magnolia blossoms" could symbolize the overshadowing of beauty or purity by overwhelming, external forces.

The character of Brooke introduces a narrative thread about striving and aspiration, as she seeks employment in the city. This pursuit is thwarted when the city itself metaphorically "closes," symbolizing perhaps the end of opportunities or dreams. The reflection of people in the blue glass sides of the city suggests introspection or a distorted view of oneself and others.

The poem then describes an absurd scenario involving a game of croquet made impossible by a storm, with hailstones metaphorically likened to medicine balls. This could symbolize the random and destructive forces of nature or fate that disrupt human activities and plans.

The intrusion of a "particularly noxious" hailstone into the house, leaving a smell of violets, juxtaposes destruction with a traditionally pleasant scent, adding to the poem's theme of contrasts and contradictions.

The closing lines of the poem return to the whimsical tone, with the speaker anticipating the arrival of red rubber balls and a stoat coming to tea. The tears streaming down the speaker's face in the mirror, coupled with the anticipation of a "nice big" tomorrow, suggest a blend of sadness and hopeful expectation.

Overall, "Merrily We Live" is a typical Ashberian poem, full of surprising twists and turns, surreal imagery, and playful language. It invites multiple interpretations, challenging readers to find coherence in its seemingly disjointed scenes and images. The poem reflects on the unpredictability of life, the collision of joy and sorrow, and the absurdity inherent in human experiences.

POEM TEXT: https://ashberyhouse.yale.edu/merrily-we-live