Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Star Belched" by John Ashbery is a poem that exemplifies his distinctive style, marked by its stream-of-consciousness technique, juxtaposition of disparate images, and an ambiguous narrative structure. The poem creates a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere, reflecting on themes of memory, perception, and the passing of time.

The opening line, "On she danced, but had forgotten," immediately sets a tone of both action and forgetfulness, suggesting a character caught in the flow of time or events, yet disconnected from the past. The mention of the "silver motel" and the casual conversation about traffic grounds the poem in a mundane, everyday setting, yet there is an undercurrent of something deeper, perhaps a metaphor for life's journey or the passage of time.

The phrase "But she made no semblant / of hearing" introduces a sense of detachment or alienation. The character, and perhaps by extension the reader, is immersed in a world but not fully engaged with it. This disconnect is further emphasized by the observation that "The basement held no magic for her / nor for us anymore." Here, the basement could symbolize a foundational or subconscious aspect of the psyche, suggesting a loss of wonder or depth in both the character and the speaker's experiences.

The poem shifts to a more intimate scene with "The rain peered in the window," bringing a sense of external observation and introspection. The focus on the mundane detail of the linoleum reinforces the theme of the ordinary juxtaposed with the profound, a common motif in Ashbery's work.

Ashbery's line "Yet I was having too good a time to stop thinking yet" reveals a conscious awareness of the passage of time and the experience of the moment, despite the underlying sense of detachment. This self-reflection is a hallmark of Ashbery's poetry, often exploring the complexities of consciousness and perception.

The poem concludes with a mixture of mundane and profound observations, from the practicality of manure producing cherries to the more existential notion of comparing current experiences to past suffering. The final line, "The moment I stare I kiss you," brings an abrupt and enigmatic end to the poem, leaving the reader with a sense of unresolved intimacy and mystery.

Overall, "Star Belched" is a complex and layered poem that invites multiple interpretations. Ashbery's use of language and imagery creates a tapestry of thoughts and sensations, weaving together the ordinary and the extraordinary in a way that challenges the reader to find coherence and meaning in the seemingly disjointed narrative.