There is no fear 

in taking the first step 

or the second 

or the third



                having a position

                between several Popes



In fact the top 

can be reached 

without disaster



                precocious



The code 

consists in noticing 

the particular shade 

of the staircase



                occasionally giving way

                to the emotions



It has been chosen

discriminately



To graduate 

the dimensions 

ease them into sight



                republic of space



Radiant deepness 

a thumb 

passed over it



                disarming

                as one who executes robbers



Waving the gnats 

and the small giants 

aside

                balancing



How to surprise 

a community 

by excellence



somehow it occurred



                living a public life



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



                kicking the ladder away



Now I shall tell you

why it is beautiful



Design: extraordinary 

color: cobalt blue



                secret platforms



Heels twist it

into shape



It has a fantastic area 

made for a tread 

that will ascend



Being humble 

i.e. productive



Its purpose

is to take you upward



On an elevator 

of human fingerprints 

of the most delicate 

fixity



Being practical

and knowing its denominator



To push

one foot ahead of the other



Being a composite

which sneers at marble



                all orthodox movements





It has discovered 

in the creak of a footstep 

the humility of sound



Spatially selective 

using this counterfeit 

of height



To substantiate

a method 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





Who are usually grateful 

to anyone who prevents them 

from taking a false step



And having reached the summit 

would like to stay there 

even if the stairs are withdrawn

From Forces of Imagination: Writing on Writing by Barbara Guest, published by Kelsey St. Press. Copyright © 2003 by Barbara Guest. Originally published in The Blue Stairs (New York: Corinth Books, 1968). Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.