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GIRLS ON THE RUN: 9, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Girls on the Run: 9" by John Ashbery offers a vivid tapestry of images and narratives, weaving together the surreal and the mundane in a dreamlike collage. The poem opens with a communal sleep, hinting at a shared experience or journey that the "kiddies" and others are undergoing. This introduction sets the tone for a series of seemingly disconnected yet thematically intertwined vignettes.

The poem fluidly moves from one scene to another, with characters and images appearing and disappearing like figures in a dream. There's a whimsical quality to the way the narrative unfolds, with each stanza offering a new perspective or a different aspect of the poem's world. The mention of the wide-eyed pansies, the old flivver, and the policemen contribute to a sense of playful absurdity that characterizes much of Ashbery's work.

Throughout the poem, there is a constant interplay between reality and imagination, the individual and the collective experience. The characters navigate through this landscape, encountering various scenarios that challenge their perceptions and understanding of the world around them. The imagery of the birches exploding and the policeman bringing a sandwich down the street exemplifies the poem's blending of the extraordinary with the ordinary.

Themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time are prevalent throughout the poem. The references to childhood, the lawnmower emitting sparks, and the dress as morning to the cows allude to a nostalgic reflection on the past and its impact on the present.

The poem's structure and language mirror the fluidity and unpredictability of thought and memory. Ashbery's use of language is both evocative and elusive, inviting the reader to engage with the poem on multiple levels. The shifting perspectives and the intermingling of different voices and narratives create a rich, multi-layered experience.

In the latter part of the poem, the narrative takes a more introspective turn, with the characters contemplating their existence and the nature of truth. The arrival of the "truth" on the shore, described as a bundle of nerves, brings a moment of clarity that is quickly washed away, symbolizing the transient nature of understanding and the elusive nature of reality.

The closing lines, with school being over not just for the day but forever, suggest an end to a phase or a journey, both literal and metaphorical. This ending reflects the poem's exploration of the journey of life, the quest for understanding, and the ever-changing landscape of human experience.

"Girls on the Run: 9" is a quintessential Ashbery poem, rich in imagery and complexity, offering a unique and immersive reading experience that leaves the reader pondering long after the final line


"Gods of Fairness" by John Ashbery presents an intriguing exploration of human perceptions of divinity and the often inexplicable nature of existence. The poem navigates through a landscape where the divine and the mundane intersect, creating a narrative that is both whimsical and profound.

The opening lines address the concept of God's visibility or invisibility, suggesting a nonchalant attitude of the divine towards being seen by humans. This idea introduces the theme of the unknowable and the elusive nature of higher powers or existential truths. The mention of God’s indifference to human visibility contrasts sharply with the assertion of his concern for "us and for biscuits," a line that humorously humanizes the divine and brings the lofty concept of God into the realm of the ordinary and everyday.

Ashbery's reference to the "loaf of bread that turns in the night sky over Stockholm" further illustrates the blend of the ordinary with the extraordinary, a characteristic element of his poetic style. This imagery evokes a sense of the mystical within the familiar, inviting the reader to find wonder in the mundane.

The narrative then shifts to a more personal and anecdotal tone, recounting an unspecified "affair" that is deemed private and inconsequential to others, including the "peeing man." This part of the poem reflects on the nature of personal experiences and secrets, and how they are often insignificant in the grand scheme of things, yet hold immense importance to the individuals involved.

The poem progresses through a series of vivid images – "carbuncles and chessmen fetched from the wreck" and the "surplus buzz" – that contribute to a dreamlike, almost surreal quality. These elements create a tapestry of scenes that are both fantastical and grounded, encapsulating the unpredictable and often paradoxical nature of life.

The closing lines, with their reference to God's "little joke" and the subsequent resignation and acceptance of some characters, evoke a sense of futility in understanding the divine or the larger forces at play in the universe. The poem suggests that these forces may be beyond human comprehension, and that sometimes, the only response is to accept the whims of fate or divinity.

In "Gods of Fairness," Ashbery masterfully weaves a narrative that is at once whimsical, reflective, and enigmatic. The poem invites the reader to ponder the mysteries of existence, the role of the divine, and the significance of human experiences within the vast tapestry of life. The playful yet thoughtful tone of the poem underscores the complexity of the human condition and our perpetual quest to make sense of the world around us.


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