Comments on: john ashbery | the serious doll

By: Barbara Fitz Vroman

Barbara Fitz Vroman — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:38:12 +0000

I do not know about the previous poem, but the Father poem is achingly filled with insight and forgiveness that could only come from a very superior heart and mind. In the most understated way it thunders with instruction.

By: Judith Wiker

Judith Wiker — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:20:36 +0000

Let us not judge Ashbery too quickly…I do find his taste in nautical nonsense quite creative, which leads me to believe there is a enough of a screw loose to warrant further investigation.

By: hatto fischer

hatto fischer — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:11:59 +0000

Here in Greece Surrealism has in poetry another meaning as does in Delvaux’s paintings. It seems to be about juxtaposition. Yet Andre Breton would say it is about writing poetry along the line which can clearly distinguish between creativity and the ‘morality of creativity’. What has to be beautiful does not want to be beautiful in a real sentence. You can see that in Ashberry’s own comment that his poetry defies surrealism. If that is a helpful statement to let readers enter more easily his poems I don’t know. I am not even suggesting it might help. Rather when reading the comments I am astonished on how such a poem is dealt with. Maybe the discussion should return to the Niagara falls and after another wedding let some poems go down in a barrel. That image comes close to what Paul Celan had said about his poetry: messages put into a bottle to be cast afloat on a wide and empty ocean. Those who receive these messages may decode them. It is a surrealist challenge but certainly butter or feather will not do to stroke the time in that poem. I wish the poem by Ashberry would not end with “that is enough”. In Lebanon people say it differently: “Enough (with war and violence). We want to live!”

By: Aaron Scott

Aaron Scott — Thu, 29 May 2008 05:13:47 +0000

I’m simply must protest, readers. Many of you seem misinformed on the nature of Ashbery’s poetics. I would suggest–to all of you–that you read more of his work, wrestle with the text, perhaps investigate his poetry before you make such rash, harsh decisions.

Vendler to Bloom to Kakutani have all called Ashbery one of the great, original voices in American literature–often compared to Whitman and Stevens and Crane. He is quite well-respected by his peers: Jorie Graham, (the late) Frank O’Hara, Robert Hass, and a number of poets.

Perhaps, as educated people, which I assume you all are, you should attempt understanding…and not just rash judgment based on little reading.

Ignorance has never allowed great literature to shine.