Where Shall I Wander

Where Shall I Wander is John Ashbery's 23rd poetry collection, published by Ecco Press in 2005. The collection takes its title from the classic nursery rhyme "Goosey Goosey Gander" and was a National Book Award for Poetry finalist. The poems capture the varied voices of contemporary American life through a mix of characters and perspectives. Multiple narratives and tones intersect throughout the collection, creating a tapestry of modern experience in shorter-form poems rather than Ashbery's signature longer works. These poems examine memory, time, and the nature of human connection in an American landscape. The collection demonstrates Ashbery's ability to transform everyday observations and interactions into contemplations of broader significance.

Readers find this poetry collection challenging but rewarding. The poems' dreamlike qualities and stream-of-consciousness style resonate with fans of Ashbery's earlier work. Readers appreciated: - The playful language and surprising word combinations - Moments of clarity amid abstract passages - References to aging and mortality - The shorter, more accessible poems compared to previous collections Common criticisms: - Too obscure and difficult to interpret - Lack of coherent meaning or narrative thread - Requires multiple readings to grasp - "Self-indulgent" linguistic experiments Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (6 reviews) One reader noted: "The poems feel like overheard conversations that slip in and out of focus." Another described them as "beautiful nonsense that somehow makes perfect sense." Several reviewers mentioned the poem "Ignorance of the Law Is No Excuse" as a standout piece that balances accessibility with Ashbery's signature style.

The Tennis Court Oath by John Ashbery This earlier Ashbery collection employs similar techniques of fragmented narrative and multiple perspectives to examine American life through experimental forms.

Self-Portrait in a Convex Mirror by John Ashbery The collection builds complex meditations on art and consciousness through layered observations and shifting viewpoints.

Mean Free Path by Ben Lerner The poems weave through contemporary American experiences with fractured narratives and overlapping voices that echo Ashbery's style.

Citizen by Claudia Rankine This work moves between multiple perspectives and voices to create a portrait of American life through interconnected observations.

The Midnight by Susan Howe The collection explores memory and time through fragmented narratives and varied voices that create a tapestry of American experience.

🎭 The title poem references "Goosey Goosey Gander," a dark 16th-century English nursery rhyme about religious persecution and punishment. 📚 Published in 2005 when Ashbery was 78 years old, this collection demonstrates his continued literary innovation late in his career. 🏆 John Ashbery won nearly every major American poetry award, including the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship. 🎨 Ashbery was also a respected art critic for publications like New York Magazine and Newsweek, influencing his poetic style with elements of visual arts. 📝 The collection's shorter poem format marked a departure from Ashbery's typically longer, more experimental works, making it more accessible to new readers.