Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CHINESE PICTURE, by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHINESE PICTURE, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ascend this path, whose stairway windings gleam
Last Line: Once you command his secret, will not grudge your right.
Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund


ASCEND this path, whose stairway windings gleam
With ghosts of light through pine and cedar; rise,
My thought, and gain each mountainous surprise,
Each gulf of breath-like stone where the one stream
Darts down its silver lightning; drink each turn
Of curve and colour, implanted bliss or terror,
Bow to the gods low-housing in the fern
And at death's fox-holes they will outwit error;
O rise among these fangy roots, these rocks
In sledgy ruin ever edging -- strike
Your foot like faith where armied dragon-shocks
Have wrenched the burnt ridge into spur and spike;
Question no sign; the hermit of the height,
Once you command his secret, will not grudge your right.





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