Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Eleanor Wilner’s "Ars Poetica" is a richly layered meditation on the power and futility of art, history, and myth. The poem's title, referring to the "art of poetry," sets the stage for a deep exploration of the poet's role in capturing and conveying truths that, despite their beauty and significance, often remain elusive and transient.

The poem begins with an invocation of Prometheus, the mythological figure who stole fire from the gods to give to humanity. This act, both monumental and tragic, symbolizes the poet's struggle to grasp profound truths ("the fire — without / the power to give it away"). The fire represents enlightenment and inspiration, yet the poet acknowledges the inherent difficulty in sharing this divine spark effectively.

Wilner then shifts to an image of Schiller approaching "the adorable sisters," evoking the Romantic poet's encounters with the sublime and the powerful emotions that drive both artistic creation and human desire. The reference to the salmon swimming upriver "against the current, the odds," further emphasizes the struggle inherent in creative and existential endeavors. The salmon's journey mirrors the poet's own, driven by an innate force toward a seemingly unattainable goal.

As the poem progresses, Wilner delves into the nostalgic and often deceptive nature of memory. Autumn, with its "feverish glow" and "deceptive glamour," symbolizes the bittersweet process of recollection. The amber imagery, evoking congealed sap and the mythical "amber castle of the female sun," captures the idea of the past as something both beautiful and broken, preserved yet fragmented.

The poem's imagery then shifts to a hot air balloon, representing a distorted perspective on reality. The passengers, looking down on their shrunken world, embody a detached and diminished view of life. This scene underscores the transient and often insubstantial nature of human experience and memory, likened to "a jellyfish in a green sea," barely leaving a trace.

Wilner interweaves these images with references to mythological and historical figures such as Tiresias, the blind prophet who embodies the tragic burden of useless wisdom, and Chiron, the wise and wounded centaur. Chiron’s curse of immortality, which he ultimately relinquishes, parallels Prometheus' gift of fire. Both myths underscore the theme of self-sacrifice and the eternal struggle between knowledge and suffering.

The poem culminates in a reflection on the Vietnam Memorial, a stark reminder of the human cost of war. The "shining black wall" stands as a testament to the futility and devastation of conflict, contrasting sharply with the grandeur and idealism often associated with historical and mythological narratives.

Wilner’s concluding lines bring the poem full circle, returning to the figure of Prometheus and the transformative power of art. The fire, a symbol of creative and intellectual fervor, cannot be held without consequence. It "will burn to an ash those... who would hold it." This final image reinforces the paradoxical nature of artistic and intellectual pursuit: the desire to grasp and share profound truths, tempered by the recognition of their ephemeral and potentially destructive nature.

In "Ars Poetica," Wilner masterfully navigates the intersections of myth, memory, and history, exploring the enduring yet elusive nature of artistic and human endeavor. The poem’s rich imagery and interwoven references invite readers to contemplate the power and limitations of art in capturing the fleeting essence of experience.

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