Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"The Blue Stairs" by Barbara Guest is an intriguing poem that explores the journey of ascent, both literal and metaphorical, through the medium of a staircase. The poem is formatted in the shape of steps, reflecting its thematic content and enhancing its visual impact. The journey up the stairs becomes a metaphor for life's progressions and achievements, framed within a delicate interplay of imagery and reflection.

The poem begins confidently: "There is no fear in taking the first step or the second or the third / having a position between several Popes." The initial lines establish a sense of assurance and determination, suggesting that the ascent, at least initially, is approached without hesitation. The mention of "Popes" adds a layer of grandeur and authority, implying a journey of significant importance.

Guest continues, "In fact the top can be reached without disaster / precocious." Here, the poem reassures the reader that reaching the summit is possible and can be done without calamity, highlighting the innocence and optimism inherent in taking on such a journey. The word "precocious" suggests an early blooming of ability or achievement, hinting at the natural talent or predisposition of the individual ascending the stairs.

The next segment, "The code consists in noticing the particular shade of the staircase / occasionally giving way to the emotions / It has been chosen discriminately," emphasizes the importance of attention to detail and emotional engagement in the journey. The specific "shade of the staircase" symbolizes the unique characteristics and nuances of one's path, chosen with care and consideration.

As the poem progresses, Guest writes, "To graduate the dimensions ease them into sight / republic of space / Radiant deepness a thumb passed over it." This passage suggests a gradual and careful approach to understanding and navigating the dimensions of the journey. The "republic of space" and "radiant deepness" evoke a sense of vastness and depth, which the traveler must navigate with both curiosity and respect.

Guest introduces an element of surprise and challenge with, "Waving the gnats and the small giants aside / balancing How to surprise a community by excellence." The imagery of "gnats and small giants" represents minor obstacles and distractions that must be overcome with balance and poise. The idea of "surprising a community by excellence" highlights the potential for individual achievement to stand out and inspire.

The poem reflects on the completed journey: "The original design was completed no one complained / In a few years it was forgotten / floating / It was framed / like any other work of art not too ignobly." This passage speaks to the transience of accomplishments and the way they are eventually absorbed into the broader tapestry of life and art. The "floating" and "framed" staircase suggests that the journey, once completed, becomes a part of a larger aesthetic and historical context.

Guest then delves into the essence of the staircase's beauty: "Now I shall tell you why it is beautiful / Design: extraordinary color: cobalt blue / secret platforms / Heels twist it into shape." The beauty lies in its design and the striking color of "cobalt blue," along with the "secret platforms" that hint at hidden depths and possibilities. The act of "heels twisting it into shape" conveys the physical and personal effort involved in shaping one's path.

The poem continues to emphasize the practicality and purpose of the staircase: "Its purpose / is to take you upward / On an elevator of human fingerprints of the most delicate / Being practical / and knowing its denominator / To push / one foot ahead of the other." Here, the ascent is framed as both a practical endeavor and a deeply human experience, marked by individual effort and progress.

Guest concludes with a reflection on the nature of progress: "Reading stairs as interpolation / in the problem of gradualness / with a heavy and pure logic / The master builder acknowledges this / As do the artists in their dormer rooms / eternal banishment." The staircase is a metaphor for the incremental and logical nature of progress, recognized by both builders and artists. The idea of "eternal banishment" suggests a constant striving for improvement and a recognition of the perpetual nature of the journey.

In "The Blue Stairs," Barbara Guest masterfully intertwines imagery, form, and reflection to create a rich and multifaceted exploration of ascent. The poem invites readers to consider their own journeys, the challenges and beauty they encounter along the way, and the enduring nature of human effort and achievement.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...