Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Ascent" by Clayton Eshleman is a brief yet potent poem that draws upon vivid imagery and metaphor to explore themes of vulnerability, guidance, and perhaps transcendence in the face of adversity. Eshleman's work often delves into the depths of human experience, intertwining personal introspection with broader existential queries, and this poem is no exception.

The setting of the poem is stark and dramatic: "At midnight in midalley / stalled / between four head-beams blazing." The scene is one of entrapment and intensity, as the beams of light from vehicles illuminate an otherwise dark, confined space. The imagery of headlights blazing suggests a moment of exposure or revelation, with the protagonist caught in the middle of a path, both literally and metaphorically.

The following lines, "they lay / on their horns as if they / were blind," introduce a sense of urgency and confusion. The horns blaring in the night resonate as a call for attention or perhaps an expression of frustration, evoking the blindness not just as a lack of sight but as a metaphor for a lack of understanding or direction. This could symbolize the human condition of seeking meaning or guidance in moments of uncertainty or crisis.

The next stanza shifts the focus to a more intimate and reflective scene: "Cane-tip paused above stone, death? / come enter his / hand, he is blessing the stone / we walk." Here, Eshleman introduces an individual characterized by his cane, hinting at frailty or age. The cane’s tip hovering above the stone suggests a moment of hesitation or contemplation—potentially a metaphorical crossroads. The question "death?" introduces the theme of mortality and the proximity of death in this journey.

The phrase "come enter his / hand, he is blessing the stone / we walk" is particularly evocative. It suggests a kind of sanctification or making sacred of the very path they tread, which could be interpreted as an acknowledgment of life's hardships and the human effort to find meaning or sanctity in one's experiences, however challenging they may be. The act of blessing the stone implies a recognition or perhaps a consecration of the difficulties faced in life's journey.

Overall, "The Ascent" seems to depict a moment of existential confrontation and reflection in a setting that amplifies the intensity of the experience. The poem's compact structure and potent imagery concentrate its themes, offering a snapshot that invites deeper contemplation about life, guidance, and the human condition. Eshleman's choice of words and imagery, compact yet rich with meaning, makes this a compelling piece that resonates with the universal quest for meaning in the face of the unknown.

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