Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Phoshebe Gauntlet" by Clayton Eshleman is a compelling exploration of the intersection between sensory perception, memory, and artistic creation, particularly within the context of prehistoric cave paintings. Eshleman uses the concept of phosphenes—visual phenomena experienced without direct light entering the eye, often seen as geometric patterns—to delve into the cognitive and creative processes of the Cro-Magnon people. The poem suggests that these early artists may have used the natural properties of the human visual system, combined with their environmental stimuli, to contribute to their cave drawings.

The poem begins by defining phosphenes as "geometrical percepts occurring within the eye," also referred to as "closed-eye vision." This introduction sets the scientific and experiential context for the poem, emphasizing the blend of involuntary visual effects and conscious observation that characterizes phosphene perception. By describing these visuals as "induced by knuckle pressure on closed eyelids," Eshleman immediately connects a physical action with a sensory experience, which transitions smoothly into the more abstract and artistic implications of this phenomenon.

Eshleman’s depiction of phosphenes morphing into "swarming thrones / rose windows / breaking / sun a drilled-out black wreath auraed by a rubblework of light" not only captures their dynamic and vivid nature but also imbues them with a sense of ancient spirituality and regality. The imagery is rich with architectural and naturalistic references, suggesting that these visions could be both chaotic and structured, much like the natural world.

The poet then speculates that the Cro-Magnon people might have experienced phosphenes naturally, "without knuckle pressure, while confronting cave walls." This hypothesis about prehistoric human interaction with art and environment proposes that the flickering of lamp light could have enhanced the natural rock contours, inspiring the cave dwellers to see and subsequently draw amorphous shapes suggested by the cave's surfaces—"a rich nigredo of dots zigzags spirals intersected by anatomical noticings."

Eshleman intricately describes how these visions might have been incorporated into the artistic process: "the animal re-drawn and quartered in phosphene collision remembered sightings had to run a phosphene gauntlet." This line suggests that the act of drawing was a way of navigating through, and perhaps even battling with, the complex overlay of immediate visual stimuli and deeper, remembered images. The "phosphene gauntlet" becomes a metaphor for the creative challenge of transforming fleeting visions into permanent art.

The sensory engagement with the cave surfaces, "fingered / wall grooves that thudded back into the gouger sensations of fingered wounds," evokes a tactile interaction that is almost visceral. This connection between touch and visual experience highlights the multisensory nature of Cro-Magnon artistic practices, where memory, sight, and touch converge in the act of creation.

Eshleman concludes with a powerful synthesis of themes: "memory through phosphene to wall wall through phosphene to memory, fire drill of a finger / rock mind / hottest tinder- / inner ignition / initial mind / phosphene and memory / emery." Here, he posits a cyclical relationship between memory and artistic expression, mediated by the phosphenic experience. The poem closes on the notion of the "initial mind," suggesting that these ancient practices tap into something fundamental and primal within the human psyche, linking sensory perception directly with the urge to create and memorialize experiences.

"Phoshebe Gauntlet" is thus not only a reflection on prehistoric art but also a meditation on the human condition, emphasizing the deep-rooted cognitive and perceptual processes that underpin artistic expression. Eshleman beautifully captures the essence of how our ancestors might have integrated their inner visual experiences with their outer realities, creating artworks that continue to fascinate and inspire thousands of years later.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/From_Scratch/gaRq3n32fBUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=PHOSPHENE%20GAUNTLET

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