Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

John Ashbery's "Ostensibly" is a contemplative and multifaceted poem that delves into themes of existence, perception, and the contrast between the mundane and the profound. Ashbery, renowned for his complex and often elusive style, weaves a narrative that oscillates between everyday activities and deeper philosophical musings.

The poem opens with a series of ordinary actions – resting, reading, taking walks, celebrating the kitchen table, and patting the dog – juxtaposed with "thinking gloomy thoughts." This contrast sets the stage for an exploration of the dichotomy between the simplicity of daily life and the complexity of internal experiences and uncertainties about the future.

The phrase "so many separate ways of doing, one is uncertain what the future is going to do about this" captures the essence of human indecision and the unpredictability of life. It reflects the common struggle to reconcile our actions with the unknowns of what lies ahead.

Ashbery then shifts to the realm of the metaphorical, suggesting that neither gardeners nor witches can control the world. The reference to the "mad doctor" in his secure laboratory, contrasted with the stillness and rigidity outside, introduces themes of isolation and the pursuit of knowledge or power that is disconnected from the external world.

The imagery of the evergreen borders and the precise stocking seams against the snow evokes a sense of order and meticulousness, yet there is "never any news from that side." This could suggest the limitations of human understanding and the isolation that often accompanies the pursuit of knowledge or control.

The poem contemplates the cessation of time and the seasonal cycle, with the "pendulum stilled" and the "rush of season into season ostensibly incomplete." This imagery suggests a disruption in the natural order or a sense of stasis, perhaps reflecting on the human desire to halt or control the passage of time.

The "perverse order" laid at the joint where the year branches into artifice and votive lassitude indicates a divergence between reality and illusion, action and passivity. The "old discolored snapshot that soon fades away" symbolizes the impermanence of memories and experiences, highlighting the transient nature of life.

The absence of a spectator or agent to declare "Enough" suggests a lack of intervention or resolution in the ongoing battle of life and memory. The reference to flowers as "gracious" and "permanent in its way" underscores the enduring nature of beauty and memory, despite their ephemeral existence.

The poem concludes with the imagery of "growing dim" coals falling alight, symbolizing the resurgence of vitality or hope. The call to action – "You must try getting up from the table and sitting down relaxed in another country wearing red suspenders toward one's own space and time" – encourages a shift in perspective, embracing change and individuality in the journey of life.

In summary, "Ostensibly" by John Ashbery is a deeply reflective poem that invites readers to ponder the intricacies of human existence, the contrast between the everyday and the extraordinary, and the perpetual quest for understanding and meaning. Through vivid imagery and philosophical inquiry, Ashbery captures the complexity of the human experience, the tension between order and chaos, and the enduring search for self and purpose.

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