Sandcastle Basement
Let’s workshop this poem--a love letter to the artist at Dosa Grill Indian buffet (Vestal NY 9/2/24)--about how the creative drive serves to distract humans from the indifferent void that awaits
Sandcastle Basement
Behind the smokescreen of our
artistic fury—thickest
when ecstatic, like a tennis rally
nudging our limits—lurks
the heart murmur that no creation
could anchor us against
sublivion; that all shrines
(to our egos or otherwise) crumble
in the entropic hourglass.
"Sandcastle Basement" delves into the transient nature of human endeavors, particularly the creative and artistic pursuits that people often undertake in an attempt to find meaning or permanence. The poem opens with an evocative image of a "smokescreen of our artistic fury," suggesting that creative efforts often act as a diversion or a facade that obscures deeper existential fears. This "fury" reaches its peak in moments of ecstatic immersion, akin to the intense focus required during a "tennis rally nudging our limits." Here, the rally metaphor implies both the relentless back-and-forth of creative effort and the continual pushing of boundaries in search of some elusive fulfillment.
The poem’s pivot, however, comes with the introduction of a "heart murmur," which represents a subtle yet persistent awareness of life's impermanence—a reminder that no amount of creation or artistic expression can ultimately shield us from "sublivion." This invented term appears to combine "sublime" and "oblivion," hinting at a paradox where human attempts at transcendence (the sublime) are inevitably swallowed by the void (oblivion). This notion captures the futility embedded in the human condition: the recognition that all efforts, regardless of their beauty or intensity, are destined to disintegrate over time.
The final lines of the poem, "that all shrines (to our egos or otherwise) crumble in the entropic hourglass," reinforce the theme of decay and the unstoppable march of entropy. The "shrines" symbolize the structures—both literal and metaphorical—that humans erect to commemorate themselves or their achievements. Yet, the imagery of the "entropic hourglass" suggests that these monuments, much like sandcastles, are inherently fragile and subject to the ravages of time. The poem, therefore, serves as a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence and the human desire to find stability and meaning in a universe governed by chaos and decay.
"Sandcastle Basement" ultimately reflects a deep-seated skepticism about the capacity of art—or any human endeavor—to provide lasting solace against the fundamental uncertainties of existence. It invites readers to confront the uncomfortable truth that, despite our greatest efforts, everything we create is merely a temporary defense against the inevitable erosion of time.
Let's workshop this poem about the existential futility of artistic creation, blending metaphysical musings with vivid imagery. "Sandcastle Basement" opens with a compelling metaphor: our "artistic fury" serves as a "smokescreen," suggesting both the intensity and the potential illusion of creative endeavors. This fury is "thickest when ecstatic," likened to the tension and rhythm of a "tennis rally," a game where players push each other to their limits, much like how we might push ourselves creatively. Yet, behind this passionate pursuit lies a stark realization—a "heart murmur" of doubt—that no creation, no matter how profound or beautiful, can ultimately "anchor us against sublivion." The term "sublivion" either means a tweak on oblivion (capturing the idea that, although we are snuffed out, the energy goes one and has been before) or might be a clever combo of "sublime" with "oblivion," encapsulating the duality of the human experience: our creations may reach sublime heights, but they are always shadowed by the inevitability of decay. The poem concludes with a poignant reflection that all "shrines"—whether to "our egos or otherwise"—are destined to "crumble in the entropic hourglass." This final image not only underscores the temporality of our efforts but also evokes the inexorable march of time that reduces even the grandest achievements to dust. Through its interplay of vigorous action and quiet introspection, the poem poignantly captures the paradox of human creativity—our drive to leave a mark in a universe indifferent to permanence.
A meditation on the impermanence of artistic and human endeavors, "Sandcastle Basement" explores the futility of seeking stability in a universe governed by entropy and decay.
impermanence, artistic endeavor, existential futility, entropy, human condition, creative expression, decay, transience, sublime, oblivion, meaning, existential uncertainty.