Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Albert Goldbarth’s poem "Spaces" masterfully juxtaposes past and future, art and life, illustrating the evolution of human perception and the complexities of the human mind. The poem begins with a detailed exploration of Medieval and Renaissance paintings, which serve as a metaphor for the broader theme of perspective and depth in both art and existence.

In the first stanza, Goldbarth describes the flat, featureless backgrounds of Medieval art, where sacred figures such as Jesus, Mary, and saints are depicted in isolation from the secular world. This lack of depth signifies a worldview where the divine is separate and more significant than the mundane. The background's flatness, often adorned with gold and precious gems, emphasizes the otherworldly and timeless nature of these figures.

Transitioning to the Renaissance, Goldbarth highlights the revolutionary changes in art brought about by perspective. The shift from Cimabue’s Virgin to Giotto’s scenes represents a significant development in the portrayal of depth and space. The introduction of shadows, receding railings, and varied distances marks the beginning of a more realistic and grounded depiction of the divine. This change symbolizes a more integrated view of the world, where the sacred and the secular coexist within the same spatial reality.

As the poem progresses, the focus shifts from historical art to a futuristic setting on Mars, a thousand years from now. Here, the speaker studies these ancient paintings under the Dome, a modern, transparent structure that reflects the advanced, interconnected nature of the future society. The mention of the neuro-vid, a futuristic device that can be willed off, suggests a high level of technological advancement and a new way of engaging with art and information.

The poem's imagery then transitions to the Martian landscape, with its two moons sweeping around like snake eyes and the fiery trail of an Earthbound rocket. These images highlight the vastness and complexity of space, both outer and inner. The Dome’s opacity at dusk symbolizes the boundary between the known and the unknown, the tangible and the intangible.

Goldbarth concludes with a reflection on the human mind, which he describes as more interconnected than the universe itself. This mind, capable of storing a vast array of experiences and emotions, is likened to the infinite space of the cosmos. The speaker’s memories—ranging from childhood days to complex relationships and dreams—are stored alongside the images of the paintings, creating a rich tapestry of interconnected thoughts and feelings.

"Spaces" eloquently explores the evolution of human perception and the expansion of our understanding of both physical and mental spaces. Through the lens of art history and futuristic imagery, Goldbarth invites readers to consider the ways in which we conquer space—whether through the development of perspective in art, the exploration of outer space, or the intricate workings of the human mind. The poem ultimately underscores the complexity and richness of human experience, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all things across time and space.

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