The Cave at Ruffignac
First, put oil and a wick in your saucer,
and light the lamp for the awful dark.
On hands and knees make your way in.
Turn on your back in the shallow cave.
And in the dim and flickering light
Draw talismans against your fears.
You cannot see the horse you draw,
You are too close, your lamp too small,
The powerful lines, perspective, grace,
Of horse and bison, bear and mammoth.
Your art was fashioned for no eyes.
Into our minds your creatures leap.
Lari Smith
Seeing the Unseen The prehistoric cave at Ruffignac, France