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MEDITATIONS OF A PARROT, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography


"Meditations of a Parrot" by John Ashbery presents a surreal and fragmented narrative that is characteristic of Ashbery's unique poetic style. The poem appears to be from the perspective of a parrot, adding an element of whimsy and the unexpected to the meditative quality suggested by the title.

The opening lines, "Oh the rocks and the thimble / The oasis and the bed," immediately set a tone of incongruity and disjunction. The seemingly unrelated objects create a dream-like or nonsensical imagery that is typical of Ashbery's work. The parrot, as the speaker, observes these disparate elements, suggesting a perspective that is both detached and whimsically engaged with its surroundings.

The phrase "All sweetly stood up the sea to me / Like blue cornflakes in a white bowl" continues the theme of unusual comparisons and vivid, unexpected imagery. The sea is likened to blue cornflakes, an image that is both playful and surreal, evoking a sense of childlike wonder or the distortion of reality.

The interaction with the girl, who says, "Watch this," introduces a human element to the poem, yet her presence is as enigmatic as the parrot's. The parrot's claim of coming from Spain and being purchased at a fair adds to the sense of a backstory that is both intriguing and incomplete.

The girl's response, "None of us know," hints at a shared sense of uncertainty or existential ambiguity. This line could be interpreted as a comment on the unknowable aspects of life and existence.

The poem then shifts to a more nostalgic and perhaps melancholic tone with the mention of a house "Of dazzling canopies / And halls like a keyboard." This imagery suggests grandeur and beauty, but it is immediately followed by the revelation that "These the waves tore in pieces." This could symbolize the transience of beauty and the destructive power of nature or time.

The closing lines, "(His old wound— / And all day: Robin Hood! Robin Hood!)," are cryptic. The reference to an "old wound" might suggest a past trauma or loss, while the repeated cries of "Robin Hood" evoke the parrot's role as a mimic. This repetition could also symbolize the circular nature of thought or the repetitive patterns of existence.

Overall, "Meditations of a Parrot" is a poem that revels in its own ambiguity and surrealism. Ashbery's poem invites multiple interpretations, challenging the reader to engage with its playful yet poignant imagery and to find meaning in its disjointed narrative. The perspective of the parrot adds an element of whimsy and detachment, allowing for a contemplation that is both absurd and deeply reflective.


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