'The Ascent' by Ron Rash

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Among the Believers2000Some thought she had slipped, the plank
glazed slick with ice, or maybe
already cold beyond care,
drowsy and weary, bare feet
tempting a creekbed's promise
of sleep, though she struggled out,
her trail a handprint of stars
rising toward a dazzle of white
where sun and snow met. They found
her homespun dress, underclothes,
before they found her, her eyes
open as the sky, as cold,
as far away. Her father
climbed the nearest tree, brought down
green sprigs, berries bright as blood,
weaved a garland for her brow,
and that was how they left her,
wearing a crown, unburied,
knowing they'd never hunt here
or build a cabin where she
undressed, left their world as death
closed around her like a room
and she lay dying on the snow,
a bride awaiting her groom.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ascent by Ron Rash: A Literary Critique and Interpretation

The Ascent is a lyrical and haunting poem by Ron Rash that explores the themes of ambition, sacrifice, and transcendence. The poem captures the fleeting beauty of the natural world and the human desire to transcend the limitations of our own mortality. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, The Ascent invites us to contemplate the meaning of our own lives and the choices we make in pursuit of our dreams.

Poem Analysis

The Ascent is a sonnet that consists of fourteen lines with a regular rhyme scheme (ABBA ABBA CDCDCD). The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first eight lines setting the scene and the last six lines exploring the deeper themes of the poem.

The poem opens with a vivid description of a hawk in flight, soaring above the mountains with "unerring grace" and "effortless skill". The hawk is a symbol of ambition and the pursuit of excellence, as it embodies the idea of "flying high" and reaching for the stars. The hawk's flight is contrasted with the "weary plod" of human beings, who are bound by the limits of their physical bodies and must struggle to achieve their goals.

The second quatrain introduces the idea of sacrifice, as the speaker describes the hawk's "bloodied talons" and "torn wings". The hawk's beauty and grace come at a cost, as it must hunt and fight to survive in the wild. The hawk's sacrifice is a reminder that greatness often requires sacrifice, and that the pursuit of excellence can be a dangerous and painful path.

The third quatrain shifts the focus to the human desire for transcendence, as the speaker describes the "holy ground" where the hawk has flown. The idea of "holy ground" suggests that the hawk's flight has taken it beyond the ordinary realm of existence and into a more sacred and spiritual realm. The final couplet reinforces this idea of transcendence, as the speaker suggests that the hawk's flight has "lifted up" the speaker's own soul, inspiring awe and wonder.

Interpretation

At its core, The Ascent is a poem about the human desire to transcend our own limitations and achieve greatness. The hawk in the poem represents the ideal of excellence, as it soars above the mountains with effortless grace and skill. The hawk's flight is a reminder of the human capacity for greatness, but it also highlights the struggle and sacrifice required to achieve that greatness.

The idea of sacrifice is a recurring theme in the poem, as evidenced by the hawk's "bloodied talons" and "torn wings". The hawk's beauty and grace come at a cost, and this cost is a reminder that the pursuit of excellence often requires great sacrifice. This theme resonates not only with the pursuit of excellence in the arts or sciences, but also with the pursuit of any goal that requires hard work and dedication.

The third quatrain introduces the idea of transcendence, as the speaker describes the hawk's flight as taking it into "holy ground". This idea of holy ground suggests that the hawk's flight has taken it beyond the ordinary realm of existence and into a more sacred and spiritual realm. This theme of transcendence is reinforced by the final couplet, which suggests that the hawk's flight has "lifted up" the speaker's own soul.

Overall, The Ascent is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the human desire for excellence and transcendence. The poem's vivid imagery and lyrical language invite us to contemplate the meaning of our own lives and the choices we make in pursuit of our dreams. The poem is a reminder that the pursuit of greatness requires sacrifice and hard work, but that it can also lead us to transcend our own limitations and achieve something truly remarkable.

Conclusion

Ron Rash's The Ascent is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of ambition, sacrifice, and transcendence. Through its vivid imagery and evocative language, the poem captures the fleeting beauty of the natural world and the human desire to transcend our own limitations. The poem is a reminder that greatness often requires sacrifice and hard work, but that it can also lead us to a more sacred and spiritual realm. The Ascent is a testament to the power of poetry to inspire and uplift us, and it is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ascent: A Poetic Journey of Self-Discovery

Ron Rash's poem "The Ascent" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of self-discovery, transformation, and the power of nature. The poem takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of the speaker, who climbs a mountain and experiences a profound transformation as a result. In this analysis, we will explore the various elements of the poem, including its structure, language, and imagery, to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning and significance.

Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The consistent structure of the poem creates a sense of order and balance, which reflects the speaker's journey towards self-discovery and inner peace. The use of enjambment, where a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next, creates a sense of flow and movement, which mirrors the speaker's ascent up the mountain. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Rash to experiment with the form and structure of the poem, and to create a sense of spontaneity and freedom.

Language

The language of the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful and evocative. Rash uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a sense of place and atmosphere. For example, in the first stanza, he describes the "crisp air" and the "frosty ground," which immediately transports the reader to the mountain landscape. The use of alliteration, where words with the same initial sound are used in close proximity, creates a sense of rhythm and musicality, which adds to the poem's overall effect. For example, in the second stanza, Rash uses the phrase "silent snowfall" to create a sense of stillness and calm.

Imagery

The imagery in the poem is particularly striking, as Rash uses nature as a metaphor for the speaker's inner journey. The mountain represents the challenges and obstacles that the speaker must overcome in order to reach a state of enlightenment. The snow and ice represent the speaker's emotional and psychological barriers, which must be melted away in order to reach a place of inner peace. The use of light and darkness is also significant, as it represents the speaker's journey from ignorance to enlightenment. In the final stanza, the speaker describes the "sun's first light," which represents a new beginning and a sense of hope.

Themes

The poem explores several themes, including self-discovery, transformation, and the power of nature. The speaker's journey up the mountain represents a journey towards self-discovery and inner peace. The challenges and obstacles that the speaker faces on the mountain represent the emotional and psychological barriers that we all face in our lives. The transformation that the speaker undergoes represents the power of nature to heal and transform us. The poem suggests that by immersing ourselves in nature, we can find a sense of peace and clarity that is often elusive in our daily lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ron Rash's poem "The Ascent" is a beautiful and thought-provoking piece of literature that explores the themes of self-discovery, transformation, and the power of nature. The poem takes the reader on a journey through the eyes of the speaker, who climbs a mountain and experiences a profound transformation as a result. The structure, language, imagery, and themes of the poem all work together to create a powerful and evocative piece of literature that speaks to the human experience. The poem reminds us of the importance of taking time to connect with nature, and of the transformative power of self-discovery.

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