The Ladder

[dollynoodle]

Stepping up the rungs on the ladder,
he ascends the spinal column of age.
With every step, the wooden joints
groan under the weight of his heart,
With every step, the rungs creak from
the sigh which blows from his lips, the
ladder itself raging at the silence that
hangs on the skeleton of his memories

Stepping up the rungs of the ladder,
he ascends the spinal column of age.
With every step, the sheen of his hair
rusts to grey and his spectacles blur in vision.
With every step, the crease between his brows
deepen as his gums recede into his hollow face.
Yet he cannot stop, he cannot rest until
he reaches the topmost rung of the ladder

[Swampy Bob]

And all for the love of his woman.

Enjoyed.

S.B

[Ben Allen]

I quite like this.

I've been pondering over middle age lately and wondering if it's actually part of the maturing process or a slice of time reserved for bouts of lunacy.

I guess I'll never know until they let me out.

Ben.

[dollynoodle]

Thanks S.B and Ben, I penned this last night whilst listening to Erik Satie's Gymnopedie No.1 and feeling suitably depressed thereafter. I'm glad my scribblings have been of some entertainment.

Dolly

[The Bender]

Oh i don"t think i want to reach the top!Very well put and greetings from another Scot on a very damp drizzly day!
Enjoyed.

[dollynoodle]

Ah, the weather isnae too bad here where ah stay Ben! Maybe just two wee drizzles this mornin but that's aboot it - that means summer is well an truely on its way!

Thanks for your kind comment

[Deborahhambrook]

That piece of music has haunted me since I was young. It's so atmospheric, and I can see that it might put you in the mood to write an equally atmospheric poem. I thought you used some great observation and liked the comparisons.

Enjoyed,

Deborah x

[dollynoodle]

Hi Deborah,

I'm not usually a fan of classical music however i overheard the track on the radio once and was struck by how a piano piece can stir up such a complexity of raw and intense emotion. Earlier on that day, i had written a message on a friend's birthday card using a ladder as a metaphorical platform to attach the benefits of ageing (an attempt at comradely consolation) The music further inspired my depression hence the end produce of this poem.

Thank you for taking time out to review the poem.

Annax