I had lived all my life in the foothills
of the angry mountain, cowering in
worn-out scrolls and faded manuscripts.
The early prophecy for me was harsh.
‘You were never meant to scale heights’
his voice warned me when I was seven.
Many came past my hovel, some
stopped awhile, but no one ever stayed;
the lure of the summit was too strong.
I envied those with such resolve—
men with maps, charts, and compasses.
In the season of the final storm,
a poet came straddling a mountain tiger
with white and yellow stripes. She wore
garlands of hibiscus and a crown of verses,
she crafted in the cradle of a startling sun.
Ignoring the wise judgement of the elders,
I fell to my knees and pled with her to stay.
I cast all my fishing nets to the north wind
and bought a hunter’s gun and knife.
She asks for the cracked kaleidoscope
a beggar gave me in a downtown favela
then she laughs and says “I am too needy”.
We writhe and wrestle on a creaky bed
for forty days and forty nights.
Her thighs are a gateway to Sodom and Gomorrah,
and her nipples scarlet red, like strawberries in June.
Tomorrow I must face the mountain
or, like all others, she will leave me.
Throughout the night, I’m tormented by the thought
that in the morning, I will find that the stories
of fierce monsters and infernos raging on the summit,
were never more than just a myth.
A few words about the poem…
Relentless Internal Struggles | Poems of Despair
"The Summit" is a poem that navigates the intersection between aspiration and self-doubt, set against the backdrop of an allegorical mountain. The poem portrays an individual who has lived a life defined by restraint and the weight of prophetic admonitions, serving as a powerful example within the genre of Poems of Despair. The narrator's journey is one of introspection, reflecting on the futility of his past existence in the shadow of the ominous mountain, a symbol of unattainable goals and relentless internal struggles.
The poem’s narrative structure unfolds in a progression from resignation to a desperate pursuit of the unknown. The protagonist, confined to the foothills, encounters a poet, who embodies the antithesis of his life’s limitations. This character, a figure of freedom and creativity, provokes a crisis in the narrator, forcing him to confront his long-held fears and doubts. His interactions with the poet are laden with symbolism, where her crown of verses and her mount, a tiger, suggest a primal, almost mystical power that stands in stark contrast to his existence. The struggle between the two characters becomes a metaphorical battle between despair and the faint hope of transcendence.
The poem explores themes central to Poems of Despair, such as the torment of unrealised potential, the conflict between predestination and free will, and the crushing weight of societal and self-imposed limitations. The imagery of the mountain, which dominates the landscape of the poem, serves as a powerful metaphor for the monumental obstacles that often appear insurmountable in life. The narrator’s ultimate confrontation with the mountain signifies a moment of existential reckoning, where the truth of the summit—whether it holds monsters or merely myths—remains unknown, adding to the overall sense of unresolved tension that permeates the poem.
In "The Summit," the poet does not simply lament the despair inherent in the human condition but also examines the forces that compel one to confront or retreat from their fears. The poem’s conclusion, with its lingering uncertainty, encapsulates the essence of Poems of Despair, where resolution is neither offered nor assured, leaving the reader to ponder the outcome of the narrator’s journey.
Analysis of the Themes in the Poem:
"The Summit" delves into several profound themes, primarily focusing on the internal conflict between ambition and fear. The poem reflects on the nature of human limitations, both imposed by external forces, such as societal expectations and prophecy, and internal forces, such as self-doubt and resignation. The theme of despair is ever-present, manifesting in the narrator's struggle to overcome his own perceived inadequacies. Additionally, the poem touches upon the allure of the unknown and the destructive potential of succumbing to fear, emphasising the tension between hope and despair.
Analysis of the Verse:
The poem’s verse is free in form, mirroring the turbulent emotions and chaotic thoughts of the narrator. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter reflects the unpredictability of the journey described in the poem. This free verse structure allows for a more natural expression of the narrator’s inner turmoil, reinforcing the themes of uncertainty and despair. The use of enjambment throughout the poem helps to create a sense of urgency and continuity, drawing the reader into the narrator’s relentless, almost obsessive contemplation of the mountain and his fate.
Analysis of the Symbolism:
Symbolism is a key element in "The Summit," with the mountain serving as the central symbol. It represents the ultimate challenge, the embodiment of the narrator’s fears, and the goal that seems perpetually out of reach. The poet, with her garlands and tiger, symbolizes a force of inspiration and creativity, yet also danger and unpredictability. The kaleidoscope requested by the poet symbolizes the fragmented and distorted view the narrator has of his own life and potential. The mountain tiger may also symbolize the wild, untamed aspects of the human psyche that the narrator has long repressed.
Main Poetic Imagery:
The poem is rich with vivid imagery that enhances its themes. The "foothills of the angry mountain" paints a picture of a life lived in the shadow of something immense and terrifying. The "garlands of hibiscus" and "crown of verses" worn by the poet evoke a sense of beauty intertwined with power. The description of the poet’s thighs as "a gateway to Sodom and Gomorrah" introduces a potent image of temptation and moral conflict, while the "scarlet red" nipples liken her to the alluring and dangerous fruit of the Garden of Eden, suggesting the intertwining of desire and sin.
Religious Symbolism Impact:
Religious symbolism plays a significant role in "The Summit," particularly in the references to Sodom and Gomorrah, which evoke biblical notions of sin and punishment. The forty days and nights the narrator spends with the poet mirror the biblical period of trial and tribulation, suggesting a spiritual and existential test. The poem’s religious imagery underscores the moral and ethical dimensions of the narrator’s journey, casting his struggle in a broader, almost cosmic context. The mountain itself can be interpreted as a symbol of divine judgment or the ultimate test of faith, further enriching the poem’s exploration of despair and redemption.
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