We can see from the text that John Ashbery is writing about the mysteries of human connection and relationships. He is asking if the one we are expecting and thinking of will know us when they meet us, and if they have something for us. This isn’t just a literal journey that he is talking about, but a mental and emotional one from one person to another. He is also showcasing the idea of making snap judgments or preconceived notions of what we will receive from someone else. It is as if we are in search of something, but unsure of what gets the response we expect. That makes the mystery of the experiences within relationships harder to understand. It may be that we never fully comprehend the complexities of them no matter how hard we try.

Based on your description, it sounds like you could use some help understanding John Ashbery’s poem. Let’s see if we can simplify it to your 8th grade level lexile.

Someone is trying really hard to reach you, they are moving really fast, going through all kinds of difficult obstacles to get to you. But, will they know what you look like and will they have something for you when they finally arrive?

The keywords from the original text that are not in your rewrite are “frantically,” “blizzards,” “torrents” and “narrow passes.”

Frantically means to do something urgently or in an intense manner.

Blizzards are severe snowstorms with strong winds.

Torrents are heavy rainfall, a raging flood or a large amount of something.

Narrow passes are pathways that are smaller than usual.

Now that you understand the poem better, why not take another look at the original text and see if you can comprehend it better now that you have a clearer understanding of the words used?

Question 1: What is the protagonist’s journey like?
Quote: “traveling furiously toward you, At incredible speed, traveling day and night, Through blizzards and desert heat, across torrents, through narrow passes”
Definition: A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterized by strong sustained winds of at least 35 km/h, and blowing snow which is often accompanied by severe cold. A torrent is a flow of water with rapid and violent force.

Question 2: How confident is the protagonist that they will find the person they are searching for?
Quote: “But will he know where to find you, Recognize you when he sees you, Give you the thing he has for you?”
Definition: Recognize means to be aware of or familiar with something.

Question 3: What is the protagonist bringing for the person they are searching for?
Quote: “Give you the thing he has for you?”
Definition: Thing in this context means an object, quality or action.

Let’s go back over this passage and review the answers to the questions I asked. As you re-read, paraphrase the quotes I provided to help you answer the questions.

One significant plot point is when the narrator asks “But will he know where to find you,/Recognize you when he sees you,/Give you the thing he has for you?”
This line implies a certain mystery and suspense by alluding to an unknown traveler carrying an unknown object that the protagonist seems to be searching for.

Another significant plot point is when the narrator states that the traveler is “traveling furiously toward you,/At incredible speed, traveling day and night.” This implies that the destination of the traveler is imperative, suggesting that they are carrying something of great importance and urgency.

The third significant plot point is when the narrator describes the terrain through which the traveler is traveling, “Through blizzards and desert heat, across torrents, through narrow passes”. These descriptions provide insight into the difficulty of the journey and the determination of the unknown traveler and leave readers wondering why the journey is so important.

What might happen next is that the protagonist will finally find the traveler and receive the mysterious object that the traveler is attempting to deliver, although the importance of this object remains a mystery.

I’m curious to hear what you think might be happening next in the story, and why?

This stanza is about a person who is frantically traveling to find another. The journey is long and difficult, and the speaker ponders if the traveler will know who to look for and be able to recognize them when they arrive. The unknown traveler has something to give, but it is unclear what it is. Now reread the text with this summary in mind. Is there anything you would add to this summary? Please let me know what you are thinking about the text in your reply.

Why we do this: The idea of extracting keywords from a text can help unlock its deeper meaning and provide greater understanding. Keywords like “traveling,” “speed,” “narrow passes,” “recognize,” and “give” can all inform our interpretation of this text.

Keyword: Traveling – Moving from one place to another.
Keyword: Speed – The rate of movement or progress.
Keyword: Narrow Passes – A path in a mountain or other rugged land that is only wide enough for one person.
Keyword: Recognize – To know or remember something or someone.
Keyword: Give – To present voluntarily and without expecting compensation.

Your Turn: Reread the text and try to think more deeply about what the poem is saying about the idea of travelling and connecting with someone. What kind of recognition does the speaker hope for? What might he be trying to give? How might this relate to your life experiences?

The first sentence is important because it sets the scene for the rest of the passage, depicting a person or something traveling to the reader. The second sentence continues to build this image, noting the incredible speed of the traveler. The third sentence describes the obstacles the traveler must contend with, indicating a degree of difficulty. Finally, the fourth sentence poses a question, hinting at the mystery and uncertainty of the passage.

The background information for this text is that the traveler is coming from an unknown origin with a specific goal – to find the reader and give them something. It implies a journey of discovery and self-reflection, a journey which is often necessary to feel connected to oneself and to the world.

By diving deeper into this text, you will have the opportunity to explore themes such as self-discovery, courage, and perseverance. As you re-read this text, think about how these themes might be related, and consider any other insights the text might trigger.

I’m going to use a Think Aloud routine to break down the first 25-50 words of this text. Let’s start by chunking it into smaller segments. The first chunk is “Somewhere someone is traveling furiously toward you,”. I think this phrase paints a vivid image of someone quickly and determinedly headed in our direction. In order to make sure I understand, I’m going to go through the pronouns and make sure they’re all clear. In this sentence, “someone” replaces “he/she”, so I am confident that it is referring to the same individual throughout. Now, let’s move on to the next segment, “At incredible speed”. This phrase is telling us that the someone is traveling very quickly. Next, I’m going to look at the connections between the segments. This sentence starts with the phrase “somewhere someone”, which indicates that there is an unknown person approaching you. This connects to the last phrase in this segment, “toward you,”, which allows me to infer that this person is travelling in your direction. Lastly, I’m going to look for any clues in the text that could tell me more about the story. I think the words “furious” and “incredible” may indicate that this is an epic journey.

Now that we have had time to read and think aloud about the text, I invite you to do your own Think Alouds as you go back and re-read it. See if you can break down each sentence, and try to interpret the meaning by chunking it and looking for connections, clues, and pronouns. As you work your way through each sentence, challenge yourself to find even deeper understanding. At the end, we can discuss our interpretations together.

We all have our way of interpreting a stanza like this, but I think it’s important to take a step back and consider the overall meaning. It appears to be about abundance, even though there is very little. The granaries are full of meal, the streams are full of fish, and the night is greeted with a dish of milk. These suggest a natural abundance and, for me, are a cue to reflect on what John Ashbery is saying to us about abundance and how it can be found even in times of hardship. Additionally, the phrase “mixed feelings” at the end of the stanza indicates a complexity to this abundance—there’s an uncertainty and appreciation to the idea, as well as a sense of solace from the difficult times that come with it. Whether this stanza is about hope in the midst of a hard life or the idea of giving thanks for what little we have, it’s definitely something that we can all relate to. No matter how we interpret the stanza, it leaves us with a lingering mystery as to the underlying message Ashbery is trying to communicate.