"The Skaters," a poem by John Ashbery, has often been overshadowed by his later work, "Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror." While many critics have dismissed "The Skaters" as largely devoid of meaning, some supporters argue that it is an exploration of the complexities of crafting poetry in a modern context. The poem challenges the reader with its intricate layers and elusive meaning, requiring a departure from traditional expectations.

Challenges of Modern Poetic Expression

"The Skaters" can be interpreted as Ashbery's attempt to explore the difficulties faced by poets in crafting new forms of poetry that defy conventional norms. Throughout the poem, the skaters serve as a metaphor for the old artistic style—graceful yet circular, symbolizing stagnant repetition. As the poem unfolds, it juxtaposes this image with a quest to discover fresh ways of depicting reality.

Opening Imagery and its Implications

The poem begins with a grandiose depiction of ice skaters, possibly alluding to Wallace Stevens, whom Ashbery admired. This detailed description might seem overly elaborate, aligning with the poem's central theme that such art is obsolete. By contrasting the skaters with memories of childhood folly, the poem suggests a departure from retaining the past, hinting at the insignificance of previous artistic endeavors.

The Ephemeral Nature of Time and Art

Ashbery presents time as fleeting, asserting that very little holds lasting significance. The poem conveys the idea that despite changes hinting at fresh possibilities, they ultimately fail to bring meaning. It challenges the notion of importance by focusing on the rhythm of transitions rather than the specific details or overall impression:

"Hence, neither the importance of the individual flake,
Nor the importance of the whole impression of the storm, if it has any, is what it is,
But the rhythm of the series of repeated jumps,
from abstract into positive and back to a slightly less diluted abstract.
Mild effects are the result."

Wrestling with Romantic Ideals

The poem's second section delves into the romanticized world of past poetry, exploring the potential for imaginative triumph. However, the reality of societal challenges and the inadequacy of poetry in addressing life's complexities lead to a sense of subdued despair. Ashbery's mental wanderings through a labyrinth of images may seem indecipherable, reflecting the poet's struggle with meaning.

Exploration and the Limits of Imagination

In the third section, the poem shifts to a more straightforward, logical style, attempting to uncover life's essence and its poetic relationship. Critics note hints of travel writing as Ashbery embarks on adventures that, while less grand than those in previous sections, emphasize the inevitability of death. The poet's foray into nature expands his experiences, but it ends in mundane discomfort, symbolizing the banality of real life and the limitations of imagination.

Depicted Mundanity and Existential Reflections

The fourth section, perhaps the most accessible, presents a narrative of desolate rural life. It acts as a metaphor for the monotonous and unimaginative aspects of ordinary existence, where trout, echoing the skaters, swim in endless loops, and a broken pump symbolizes lost vitality. The poem concludes with constellations rising in an arbitrary, indifferent cosmos, suggesting a universe devoid of the metaphysical optimism once captured by traditional poetry.

Ashbery's Abstract Poetic Form

Ashbery's work mirrors abstract painting, where disjointed elements create a cumulative sense of rightness rather than logical coherence. This approach encapsulates the emotions that resist conventional expression. "The Skaters" serves as a metaphor for the inadequacy of traditional poetry to capture the nuances of contemporary existence, with its fluid form echoing the ebb and flow between coherence and abstraction. In essence, the poem's structure is as significant as its content.