Meaning: John Ashbery, an influential and celebrated American poet, once encapsulated the essence of his writing process in a profound and insightful quote: "I write with experiences in mind, but I don't write about them, I write out of them." This statement provides a glimpse into Ashbery's unique approach to poetry and sheds light on the complex relationship between personal experiences and the creative act of writing.

Ashbery's assertion that he writes "with experiences in mind" underscores the fundamental role that life events, emotions, and observations play in shaping his poetry. Like many artists, Ashbery draws inspiration from the world around him, using his experiences as a wellspring of ideas and themes. Whether it be the beauty of nature, the complexities of human relationships, or the fleeting moments of everyday life, Ashbery's work is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of his own encounters and reflections.

However, the second part of Ashbery's statement, "but I don't write about them, I write out of them," offers a distinct perspective on the transformative nature of his creative process. Rather than simply recounting or describing his experiences, Ashbery emphasizes the act of "writing out of them," suggesting a more nuanced and interpretative engagement with his personal encounters. This approach aligns with the notion that poetry is not merely a recollection of events or emotions, but rather a process of distillation, reinterpretation, and imaginative reconstruction.

In essence, Ashbery's quote speaks to the intricate interplay between the personal and the artistic, illuminating the ways in which individual experiences are transmuted into the expressive medium of poetry. By "writing out of" experiences, Ashbery invites readers into a realm where the raw material of life is alchemized into the refined substance of verse. This transformative process involves a synthesis of memory, imagination, and language, as Ashbery endeavors to capture the essence of his experiences through the prism of poetic expression.

It is worth noting that Ashbery's approach to writing aligns with broader discussions on the nature of creativity and the relationship between art and life. His perspective resonates with the idea that artists are not mere chroniclers of reality, but rather active interpreters and shapers of their experiences. Through the act of "writing out of" experiences, Ashbery navigates the terrain of subjectivity and universality, seeking to convey the particularity of his own encounters while also tapping into the shared reservoir of human experience.

Moreover, Ashbery's quote invites contemplation on the nature of poetic expression itself. By emphasizing the process of "writing out of" experiences, he underscores the dynamic and generative nature of the creative act. In doing so, he challenges traditional conceptions of poetry as a static reflection of reality, proposing instead a vision of poetry as a living, evolving entity that emerges from the fertile ground of personal experience.

In conclusion, John Ashbery's quote encapsulates the intricate relationship between personal experiences and the act of poetic creation. By writing "with experiences in mind" and "out of them," Ashbery offers a compelling insight into the transformative power of poetry and the ways in which individual encounters are transfigured into the realm of art. His words remind us of the profound capacity of poetry to distill, reinterpret, and reimagine the raw material of life, inviting readers to engage with the rich tapestry of human experience through the prism of poetic expression.