'Flight Of Stairs' by A.S.J. Tessimond

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Stairs fly as straight as hawks;
Or else in spirals, curve out of curve, pausing
At a ledge to poise their wings before relaunching.
Stairs sway at the height of their flight
Like a melody in Tristan;
Or swoop to the ground with glad spread of their feathers
Before they close them.

They curiously investigate
The shells of buildings,
A hollow core,
Shell in a shell.

Useless to produce their path to infinity
Or turn it to a moral symbol,
For their flight is ambiguous, upwards or downwards as you please;
Their fountain is frozen,
Their concertina is silent.



Submitted by Stephen Fryer

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Intriguing Flight Of Stairs by A.S.J. Tessimond

As I began reading the poem, "Flight of Stairs" by A.S.J. Tessimond, I was immediately struck by the powerful imagery used throughout the work. Tessimond paints a vivid picture of a staircase, "a coil of braided steel," that ascends to the heavens. But as I continued reading, the poem revealed itself to be much more than a simple description of a staircase. It is a complex and thought-provoking meditation on life, death, and the human condition.

The Staircase as a Metaphor for Life

The staircase, in Tessimond's poem, is more than just a physical object. It is a powerful metaphor for life itself. As we climb the stairs, we are moving ever upward, closer to the heavens. But with each step, we also move closer to death. The stairs are "a pathway to the infinite," but they are also a reminder of our own mortality.

Tessimond explores this duality throughout the poem, using striking imagery to convey the idea. He writes:

"The steps are so deep in their turnings, each step is so high, so wide, the light goes before us, turning and turning."

Here, Tessimond captures the sense of both awe and fear that we experience as we climb the stairs of life. The steps are "deep in their turnings," suggesting that they are both challenging and mysterious. And yet, the light "goes before us," guiding us forward, even as we are unsure of where the staircase will lead.

Death as an Inevitable Destination

While the staircase is a metaphor for life, it is also a metaphor for death. Tessimond suggests that death is the inevitable destination of every life, and that we all must climb the staircase eventually. He writes:

"And when we have climbed to the top, what is there? The abyss, the night."

This line is particularly striking, as it suggests that the ultimate goal of life is not the heavens, but rather a dark and empty void. It is a reminder that death is not something to be feared, but rather something that we must accept as a natural part of the human experience.

The Human Condition

While Tessimond's poem is certainly a meditation on life and death, it is also a commentary on the human condition. Throughout the work, he explores the ways in which we struggle to understand the world around us, and the ways in which we try to find meaning in our lives.

One particularly powerful image is that of the "swirling mists" that surround the staircase. Tessimond writes:

"All is mist, and the swirling mists hide the steps that are yet to come."

Here, he captures the sense of uncertainty and confusion that we often feel in our own lives. We are never sure what lies ahead, and the future is always shrouded in a fog of uncertainty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, A.S.J. Tessimond's poem, "Flight of Stairs," is a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on life, death, and the human condition. Through the use of powerful imagery and metaphor, Tessimond explores the ways in which we move through life, the inevitability of death, and the struggle to find meaning in our lives. It is a poem that is both haunting and beautiful, and one that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Flight of Stairs by A.S.J. Tessimond is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its unique style and thought-provoking themes. This poem is a perfect example of how a simple object like a flight of stairs can be used to convey complex ideas and emotions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its various elements to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a simple description of a flight of stairs. The speaker describes how the stairs go up and down, and how they are made of wood. However, as the poem progresses, we realize that the stairs are not just a physical object but a metaphor for life itself. The stairs represent the journey of life, with its ups and downs, twists and turns.

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes the stairs as "a flight of stairs that leads nowhere." This line is significant because it suggests that life is a journey without a destination. We are all climbing the stairs of life, but we don't know where they will lead us. This uncertainty is a central theme of the poem.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the idea of time. The speaker describes how the stairs "have stood for centuries." This line suggests that the stairs have been there for a long time, and they will continue to be there long after we are gone. This idea of timelessness is significant because it suggests that life is fleeting, and we should make the most of the time we have.

The third stanza of the poem introduces the idea of choice. The speaker describes how we can choose to climb the stairs or not. This line suggests that we have a choice in how we live our lives. We can choose to take risks and climb the stairs, or we can choose to play it safe and stay on the ground. This idea of choice is significant because it suggests that we are in control of our lives, and we should take responsibility for our actions.

The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of struggle. The speaker describes how climbing the stairs can be difficult, and how we may stumble and fall. This line suggests that life is not easy, and we will face challenges along the way. However, the speaker also suggests that these struggles are necessary for growth and development. We learn from our mistakes and become stronger as a result.

The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the idea of perspective. The speaker describes how the stairs look different from different angles. This line suggests that our perspective on life can change depending on our experiences. What may seem like a challenge from one angle may be an opportunity from another. This idea of perspective is significant because it suggests that we should be open-minded and willing to see things from different angles.

The sixth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these ideas together. The speaker describes how the stairs are "a symbol of life's end." This line suggests that the stairs represent the end of our journey through life. However, the speaker also suggests that the stairs are not the end but a new beginning. We may not know where the stairs will lead us, but we can be sure that they will lead us somewhere.

In conclusion, The Flight of Stairs by A.S.J. Tessimond is a classic poem that uses a simple object to convey complex ideas and emotions. The poem explores themes of uncertainty, timelessness, choice, struggle, and perspective. The poem suggests that life is a journey without a destination, and we should make the most of the time we have. We have a choice in how we live our lives, and we should take responsibility for our actions. We will face challenges along the way, but these struggles are necessary for growth and development. Finally, the poem suggests that the end of our journey through life is not the end but a new beginning. We may not know where the stairs will lead us, but we can be sure that they will lead us somewhere.

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