The title of John Asberry’s poem seems to pose both a question and a statement. The reader is caught by the idea that there is only one thing that can be done or the question of what that one thing is. When we are stuck in emergency situations, we often question the one thing that we can do to make the bad moment just a little better. Asberry captures that moment of looking for the best and a hard time within this poem.
In the first line, the author asks the question, “Is anything central?” This question ponders whether there is one thing that connects everyone, whether this place has something in the middle to bring everyone together(1). Many countries focus on creating a capital city that is often found in the middle of the country or the state that it represents, but here in the US, the capital sits on the far side. Many countries focus on creating a capital city that is often found in the middle of the country or the state that it represents, but here in the US, the capital sits on the far side. There is nothing right there in the middle, nothing to bring people together in the way that the centralized capital city or an important monument might. There is nothing right there in the middle, nothing to bring people together in the way that they centralized capital city or an important monument might. The question that arises The question that arises, is, “ Are place names central?” This means that every job in the city has a location that they operate around(3). Small towns are no to have main streets or Broad streets, running straight to the middle of town on which festivals and activities are often planned. The idea behind these are unity in which people come together based on shared experiences and the growing community around them. Asbury describes these places as being locations where” civil pride” it’s not only known, but also appreciated (11). The author recognizes that these places should be places of meetings, but also that the American public is busy, and often times these afternoon activities are thrown to the wayside. The author recognizes that these places should be places of meetings, but also that the American public is busy and often times these afternoon activities are thrown to the wayside.
The author acknowledges that these streets that he is so proud of “ connected to his version of America” well also understanding that he can’t be the only one who sees this work for them (15). The speaker wants an America that reflects the American dream of a much earlier generation where the country is considered a big happy community centered around the landscape and infrastructure of a small town. The author recognizes that people want these perfect communities or life come together so easily despite everything that can be happening. People want their slice of Americana, the perfect fairytale ending to life, which includes pets in a couple of houses or a house out in the suburbs away from the hustle and bustle of the city. People want their slice of Americana of the perfect fairytale ending to life which option includes pets in a couple of houses or a house out in the suburbs away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Perfection is quite often hard to come by and even harder to understand, but mini try their best to achieve the perfect ending. The American dream or the desire to have a little slice of American. Anna does not come without sacrifices and hard work. Ashberry refers to them as “lumps and trails,” reflect the hard work that must go into achieving one’s goals. The author knows what the audience wants and what the people want well also understands what is feasibly done with a public vehicle, and that affects we put ourselves into certain situations and how we focus on getting out of them. The author knows what the audience wants and what the people wants well also understands what is feasibly done with a public vehicle and that effect we put ourselves into certain situations mand how we focus on getting out of them. “ Truth is timeless.” Which continues the reality that sometimes while it hurts to tell the truth, often we are bound by morals and responsibility to tell our truth. What we, as people want, has not changed despite the fact that the years have gone on; what has changed is the necessary steps we must undertake to achieve these goals because the start line has stayed the same, the finish line is much further away.
This poem has a fascinating combination of tones: big pronouncements about “America”; asides about how one might write a poem (braiding “snapped-off impressions); the difficulty of conveying and recovering intimacy, or the missed moments of intimacy; and an immense feeling of waiting and missed opportunity. And yet there’s also a quiet sense of beauty. I didn’t follow all aspects of your reading here (I think there were some repeated sentences and typos that might have gotten in the way) but I think you capture the poem’s unique sense of what we might call object-less longing. How would others try to name the effect of the poem?
Mayma, this is such an interesting close reading of “The One Thing That Can Save America”. Your take is a little different than what I understood. That’s one of the things that both frustrates and fascinates me though – how we can both read the same poem and come to very different understandings about it, and neither be right and neither be wrong. Poetry is just so weird that way.
I was intrigued by your description of the US Capital, as being not in the middle, not a way to bring people together. I’ve always thought of DC as perfectly situated for the early colonizers, because they had no understanding of how vast this land was. If the capital had stayed in NYC, this country would be much different. With that in mind, I tend to think of the East Coast as “people that stay”, the center as “people that left”, and the West Coast as “people that explore”. I know that doesn’t fit for most people anymore, but that’s how they get categorized in my mind. DC sits in the middle of the people that stay, not too north and not too south – just right.
I like how you describe the speaker as wanting an America that reflects the dream of an earlier generation, when the country felt more like a community. I suspect that people who are afraid of change fall into this trap, this longing for a bygone era, grasping for the rose-colored tint of nostalgia behind them instead of looking forward. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, especially with the next election upon us. Your idea of the longing for something in the past is especially intriguing, especially if that thing that is longed for may have only ever existed in the imagination, or for a certain group but not for everyone.
Thank you for such a different perspective on this piece. It was interesting to view it through your lens.