Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Though Lying with a Woman" by William Everson delves into the depths of human desire and the pursuit of pleasure, exploring the notion that true understanding and fulfillment lie beyond the physical realm. Through a rich tapestry of sensory experiences, the poem invites readers to consider the limitations of the physical senses in capturing the entirety of human experience and the existence of a transcendent beauty that eludes direct perception.

The opening lines present a spectrum of human sexual experiences—from intimacy with a woman, to masturbation, to homosexual encounters—as well as other forms of sensory indulgence, such as the consumption of wine and the thrill of speed. Everson describes these pursuits with a frank acknowledgment of their capacity to provide joy and exhilaration. However, he quickly introduces a caveat, suggesting that these physical experiences, while profoundly affecting, are ultimately confined to the surface of human consciousness.

Everson posits that "back of that brain," beyond the immediate gratification of the senses, lie "subtle levels of comprehension" inaccessible to the physical experiences themselves. This assertion elevates the poem's discourse from a mere celebration of sensory pleasure to a philosophical meditation on the nature of understanding and fulfillment.

The poet asserts that the true source of joy is a form of beauty that exists "beyond it and out of its reach," implying that the most profound experiences of beauty and fulfillment are not to be found in physical sensations alone. This beauty becomes apparent only to those who transcend the "smothering triumph of touch" and other senses, suggesting that a deeper, more meaningful understanding of existence requires a detachment from immediate sensory experiences.

Everson's imagery of "the fastnesses of his mind" and "some manifestation wrung through the web of the roaring senses" evokes a struggle to perceive a "hulking dream" or a "transigent revelation" that lies just beyond the grasp of the senses. This pursuit of a higher understanding or revelation is depicted as both elusive and compelling, driving the individual to seek meaning in realms beyond the physical.

The poem concludes with the idea that, regardless of the intensity of one's cravings or desires, there remains "an untouchable portion of his awareness" that is "aloof" from these experiences. This part of the mind, Everson suggests, is capable of recognizing the limitations of desire and finding a sense of "finality" in the acknowledgment of beauty and truth that transcend the physical world.

"Though Lying with a Woman" is a contemplative exploration of the tension between the physical and the metaphysical, between immediate sensory pleasure and the pursuit of deeper understanding. Everson's vivid imagery and philosophical insights challenge readers to reflect on the nature of desire, pleasure, and the quest for a beauty that transcends the immediate experiences of the senses.

POEM TEXT: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Residual_Years/JeBX8LZrdr8C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22They+came+out+of+the+sun+undetected%22by+WILLIAM+EVERSON&pg=PA120&printsec=frontcover

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